Boyarka
Last Week on the Road
My Epic Journey So Far
Today’s Weather Report
Day 233 on the road. The clouds in Boyarka this morning are more broken than my favorite watering can. It’s a balmy 27.78°C, feels like 27.61°C. As if a gnome could tell the difference! Humidity’s at a dry 42%, and the wind’s tickling my hat at 3.95 m/s. Great for my gnome complexion, not so much for my hat staying on. Let’s just say, today I’m not just a roaming gnome, I’m a roaming, sun-tanning, hat-chasing gnome!
Sunflower Strollin’ Gnome!
What a journey! From the historical town of Bila Tserkva, a marvel with its own rich history, to the quaint little town of Boyarka – a distance of 59.1 kilometers. An interesting observation? Now, that’s a tough one. The entire journey is filled with intriguing sights and sounds. But if I had to pick one, it would be the boundless sunflower fields that spread out like a golden sea under the blue Ukrainian sky.
As I trudged through the fields, a local song came to mind: “Son travy” (Song of the grass). There’s a line in the song that says, “Як життя без сонця, як соняшник без поля.” which translates to “Life without the sun is like a sunflower without a field.” How very fitting!
This journey has taken me 6974.9 kilometers across the globe, through cities like Zhashkiv, Tarashcha, Bila Tserkva, and now Boyarka. It’s been quite the ride, with 233 days on the road so far.
One thing I’ve noticed is that the language changes as you cross borders. In Ukraine, they speak Ukrainian. And let me tell you, it’s a beautiful language, filled with words that roll off your tongue like honey.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my travels, it’s a quote from the famous Ukrainian philosopher Hryhorii Skovoroda, “Кожна людина – це маленький світ.” which means, “Every person is a small world.” So here I am, a small gnome in this big world, exploring one small world at a time.
Do pobachennya! (“Goodbye” in Ukrainian)
Wandering Boyarka’s Streets
Gnome’s Petite Palette Prowess
Painted en plein air while taking in the sights of Boyarka.
— Oliver the Gnome, aspiring artist
Boyarka: Poets and Pews!
Firstly, let’s talk history. The city’s past is as deep as the roots of its age-old trees. Here, you can find the Petro Mohyla Church, dating back to the 18th century. In Ukrainian, we call it “Церква Петра Могили“, which translates to “Church of Peter Mohyla”. It’s a silent witness to the city’s past, a tale older than all of us.
Secondly, the city is proud to have been a refuge for one of Ukraine’s most famous poets, Lesya Ukrainka. She spent her last years in Boyarka, with her spirit permeating every corner. A famous quote of hers in Ukrainian is, “У боротьбі об’єднаймось разом!“, which means, “In struggle, let’s unite together!” She was a real firecracker, that one.
Boyarka, a city, a story, a legend. I’ll certainly be back to dig deeper into its rich soil.
Ukraine: Softening Speech, Hardening Hearts
Greetings from the heart of Ukraine, a place teeming with history and culture! In Boyarka, they speak the melodious Ukrainian language, bewitching to the ears. For those eager to learn, here are a few handy phrases:
1. “Привіт” (Pryvit) – Hello! A word that opens doors and hearts.
2. “Дякую” (Dyakuyu) – Thank you. This is how you show gratitude, often accompanied by a hearty smile.
3. “Будь ласка” (Bood’ Laska) – Please/You’re welcome. Politeness, my fellow travelers, is universally appreciated!Interestingly, in Boyarka, they often add the soft sign ‘ь’ at the ends of words, a unique local linguistic quirk. For instance, “Привіт” becomes “Привітень” (Pryviten’). So don’t be surprised if you hear this extra softness in their speech!
Remember, language is not just a tool, it’s a bridge to understanding culture. Now, you’re a step closer to feeling at home in Ukraine. Happy learning, my friends!
Boyarka’s Gnome-azing Sights!
See you tomorrow!
Around the World on Foot, in Many, Many Days 