Добрий день, my dear wanderlust-filled friends! I, your friendly gnome Oliver, have recently undertaken a 36.5km journey from the quaint town of Bershad‘ to the picturesque village of Teplyk, both nestled in the beautiful lands of Ukraine.

The road was filled with beautiful sunflower fields stretching as far as my little gnome eyes could see. But what caught my attention, or rather my ear, was the melodic sound of the Ukrainian language. The locals, with their warm hearts and friendliness, made my journey all the more delightful.

I learnt a wonderful phrase during my time here, “подорож додає життю” (Podorozh dodaye zhyttyu) which translates to “Travel adds to life”. And add it does, indeed! I have been on the road for 228 days, traveled 6760.6 kilometers so far and my recent stops include the interesting cities of Rîbniţa, Popova Hreblia, Bershad’, Teplyk, Khrystynivka.

And, oh! Before I forget, I stumbled upon a local song that goes, “Україно, ти моя перлина, ти моя вічна пісня” (Ukraino, ty moya perlyna, ty moya vichna pisnya), which translates to “Ukraine, you are my pearl, you are my eternal song”. Truly poetic, isn’t it?

As I continue my journey, I am reminded of a quote by the famous Ukrainian poet, Taras Shevchenko, “Де є воля, там і перемога” (De ye volya, tam i peremoga), which means “Where there is a will, there is a victory”.

With every step, I am not just crossing distances and borders, but also diving into the depths of diverse cultures and languages. So, here’s to many more victories and pearls in our journeys!

Remember my friends, as we say in Ukraine, “Щастя в дорозі” (Schastya v dorohi) – Happiness is in the journey!

Until next time,
Oliver the Gnome.

Greetings from the delightful city of Teplyk! Ah, what an enchanting place! The city’s history is as rich as a bowl of piping hot Ukrainian borscht. One of my favorite experiences here was at the Teplyk History Museum. The museum showcased the works of local artists and sculptors, who have brilliantly captured the essence of this city. It was there that I learnt about Oleksandr Bilash, a famous Ukrainian composer born in Teplyk. His composition “Мелодія” (Melody) truly tugged at my heartstrings.

And then, there’s the famous St. Nicholas Church. Constructed in the 18th century, its architecture is a testament to the city’s enduring spirit. The locals often say, “Церква – це душа нашого міста” (The church is the soul of our city). The phrase couldn’t be more apt. Every brick, every corner of this city is steeped in culture and history. Teplyk, you’ve won this gnome’s heart!