Kalyta
Last Week on the Road
My Epic Journey So Far
Today’s Weather Report
Day 239: Kalyta, 19.57°C but feels like 19.98°C. It’s raining lightly, a gnome’s nemesis. Humidity at 92%, my beard feels like a wet mop. Wind blowing at 5.67 m/s, nearly blew my red hat off! It’s a fine day to be soggy. What’s the good of gnome-sized umbrellas if you can’t remember where you put it? Ha! The weather might be dampening, but never my spirits! A dash of rain, a gust of wind – life’s a whirlwind adventure for a gnome on the go!
Sunflower Stroll with a Gnomad!
Today, I tackled a 48.7km journey from the bustling city of Kyiv to the cozy town of Kalyta, Ukraine. Now, you might be wondering, “Oliver, what caught your pebble-sized eyes in this trek?” Well, let me tell you about the Sunflowers! Fields and fields of them, a sea of golden sunshine waving in the wind. What a sight for sore gnome-eyes!
Did you know, sunflowers are not just a symbol of Ukraine, they’re also a major crop? They even have a saying here, “Під соняшником не зростає тінь“, which means “No shadow grows under the sunflower”. A wonderful reminder that light dispels darkness, don’t you think?
In these 239 days on the road, my little ceramic feet have marched a grand total of 7183.8 kilometers. From the tranquil riverbanks of Irpin, the urban sprawl of Brovary, the historic heart of Kyiv, the sunflower fields of Kalyta, to the rural charm of Nosivka, every kilometer has been a story!
Switching languages, as I cross borders, is part of the journey. From the Slavic tongues of the East to the Romance languages of the West, each shift in dialect is a new chapter in my globe-trotting tale.
As I continue my travels, I leave you with a popular Ukrainian song verse, “Ой, у лузі червона калина“, meaning “Oh, in the meadow, the red viburnum”. A beautiful metaphor for the resilient spirit of Ukraine that I’ve come to admire.
Stay curious, stay grumpy, but most importantly, stay adventurous!
До побачення! (Goodbye!)
Wandering Kalyta’s Streets
Gnome-ly Doodling Endeavor
Painted en plein air while taking in the sights of Kalyta.
— Oliver the Gnome, aspiring artist
Kalyta: Bell-Ringing Pampushka!
Another intriguing aspect of Kalyta is its reverence for the famed Ukrainian composer, Mykola Leontovych. The city echoes with the haunting melodies of his masterpiece, ‘Shchedryk’, globally known as the ‘Carol of the Bells’. This tune is emblematic of the city’s spirit – resilient, beautiful, and timeless. “Музика – це душа народу” – Music is the soul of the people. Indeed, Kalyta is a symphony of history and culture that plays on the strings of your heart.
Bandura Beats & Borscht Banquets
In the heart of Ukraine, Kalyta vibrates with a rich cultural tapestry. Often, the air is filled with the melodies of bandura, a traditional Ukrainian instrument. The locals declare, “Dusha v kozhni noti“, meaning “A soul in every note“. Kalyta’s architecture, with its vibrant murals and ornate wooden structures, is a vibrant testament to the city’s history. The centerpiece, the St. Nicholas Church, whispers tales of ancient folklore and faith. The city’s cuisine, with borscht and varenyky, is a symphony of flavors that sing of home and heritage. Here, the pulse of tradition beats strong.
See you tomorrow!
Around the World on Foot, in Many, Many Days 