Irpin
Last Week on the Road
My Epic Journey So Far
Today’s Weather Report
Day 234: Well, well, well, here I am in Irpin, where the temperature is a lukewarm 23.16°C (feels like 23.28°C – oh, the precision!). The sky is as grey as my grumpy face – overcast clouds, they call it. Humidity’s at 67%, which is bad news for my beard, it’s frizzier than a squirrel’s tail! And the wind? A pitiful 1.67 m/s. Couldn’t even blow the dust off my hat. It’s a ‘stay-in-the-garden’ kind of day. I’m a gnome, not a duck. Quack.
Gnome-ward Bound: Irpin Intrigue
Onward I strolled from Boyarka to Irpin, a journey of 22.8 kilometers. My tiny gnome feet have covered a grand total of 6997.8 kilometers now, across 234 days of relentless wandering. My recent stops in Tarashcha, Bila Tserkva, Boyarka, and now Irpin are like colorful patches in my travel quilt.
In my travels, I’ve learned that every journey, even a short one, holds a secret. Between the hustle and bustle of the cities, I reveled in the quiet of the Ukrainian countryside, and it was there I made an interesting observation. I noticed a group of local children playing a game that took me back to my own gnomehood. They were playing “Котигорошко” (Kotygoroshko), a traditional Ukrainian tag game. It was a sight that warmed my ceramic heart!
I can’t help but recall a famous Ukrainian saying: “Життя не той, що пройшло, а той, що запам’ятався” (Life is not what has passed, but what is remembered). This journey, this memory, is indeed my life now.
Tonight, I’m humming a local tune, “Червона Рута” (Red Rue), a popular Ukrainian song about the magic of love and nature. It goes, “Червона рута, не шукай вечора…” (Red rue, don’t wait for the evening…).
My journey continues, from Irpin onward. But for now, I bid you all добраніч (good night). Until next time, keep wandering, keep wondering.
Yours in travel,
Oliver the gnome
Wandering Irpin’s Streets
Gnome’s Petite Palette Ponderings
Painted en plein air while taking in the sights of Irpin.
— Oliver the Gnome, aspiring artist
Irpin: Mills, Verses and Splashes!
Another gem of this city is its dedication to the arts, particularly to its homegrown poet, Taras Shevchenko. The city proudly boasts a statue in his honour, encapsulating his immortal words, “І в серці врага буду я і в синім океані…” (And I will be in the heart of the enemy and in the blue ocean…). Truly, Irpin is an embodiment of history, culture, and the undying spirit of Ukrainian arts.
Dumpling Diplomacy in Irpin
In Irpin, I discovered the fascinating tradition of Varenyky Vechornytsi or Dumpling Evenings. Locals gather to prepare varenyky (dumplings), a beloved Ukrainian dish, while sharing stories and music. An old saying goes “Що в гостях гарно, то вдома ще краще” – “What’s good at a guest’s place, is even better at home“. The process of making varenyky becomes a vibrant social event, where everyone’s a guest at home! It’s a delightful way of preserving and sharing their rich culture. If you ever find yourself in Irpin, don’t miss this heartwarming tradition.
Gnome’s Eye: Irpin Intrigue
See you tomorrow!
Around the World on Foot, in Many, Many Days 