Привіт, dear readers, or should I say Вітаю, as they do here in the beautiful Ukraine.

Day 232 of my wandering gnome journey finds me in Tarashcha, having just completed a 45.4km trek from the charming town of Zhashkiv. As my tiny gnome legs can attest, every kilometer was filled with wonder and adventure.

As I moved away from Zhashkiv, the gentle rolling hills gave way to a landscape dotted with vibrant sunflower fields. A sight to behold, the sunflowers were as tall as a gnome could imagine, their golden faces turned towards the sun in a sea of yellow. But as many of you know, I’m not just a sightseer, I’m a participant! So, I took a little nap in one of those giant blossoms, and let me tell you, if you’ve never napped in a sunflower, you’re missing out!

Peppered along the way, the verses of the famous Ukrainian folk song, “Тиж мій, милий” (You are my beloved) hummed in my heart. It goes, “Тиж мій, милий, сонця цвіте, Тебе я люблю, як життя своє“, which translates to, “You are my dear, sunflower, I love you as my life.”

My journey thus far has taken me from Teplyk to Khrystynivka, and then to Zhashkiv, and now in Tarashcha. In the process, I’ve racked up a total of 6923.9 kilometers! Quite an achievement for a gnome, if I do say so myself.

As I continue to travel, I’m reminded of the Ukrainian adage “Не важливо, куди ти йдеш, важливо, кого ти береш з собою“, meaning “It’s not important where you’re going, it’s important who you take with you”. Although I’m traveling alone, I carry with me the spirit of my gnome family and you, my dear readers.

My journey continues, and I look forward to sharing more of my adventures with you! Until next time, До побачення (Goodbye)!

P.S.: No border crossings in this leg of the journey, so no language changes to report. But stay tuned, who knows where my gnome feet will take me next!

Tarashcha, a city steeped in history and culture, is a true gem. It is known for its ancient Orthodox Church of St. Michael, a remarkable architectural masterpiece dating back to the 18th century. Walking through its doors, I couldn’t help but imagine the fervent prayers and heartfelt hymns that filled this sanctuary over the centuries. As the Ukrainians say, “Церква є душею нашого народу” (The church is the soul of our people).

Another fascinating thing about Tarashcha is its connection to the renowned Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych. Known for his composition “Shchedryk“, famously known in English as “Carol of the Bells“, Leontovich was born in the nearby village of Monastyrok. His music, much like the city itself, is a timeless testament to the spirit of Ukraine. “Музика – це життя, а пісня – це душа” (Music is life and the song is the soul), so they say.

I’m off to explore more of this fascinating city. Til the next post, stay gnomazing!