Khvastovichi
Last Week on the Road
My Epic Journey So Far
Today’s Weather Report
Day 255: Upon my ceramic cheeks, the gentle 22.14°C breeze of Khvastovichi kisses, feeling more like a coquettish 21.82°C. They call it a ‘clear sky’, but I say it’s the heavens’ curtain pulled back for a one-man-gnome-show. The humidity? A mere 54%, just enough to keep my paint gleaming without turning me into a soggy, grumpy gnome. And the wind, oh, a playful 2.95 m/s, just right for a gnome’s morning wiggle. Ah, the life of a globetrotting gnome, weathering the world one day at a time!
Rusanovka Riverdance: Gnome Bound!
From the heart of Bol’shoe Polpino, I embarked on a 47.3 km journey to the charming town of Khvastovichi, Russia. It was a journey filled with scenic beauty, but what caught my grumpy yet observant eyes was the magnificent Большая Русановка (Big Rusanovka) – a river that flows with the grace of a ballet dancer twisting and turning like a silver ribbon cutting through the landscape.
A local I met on the path, Yuri, told me an old saying about the river: “Река не просто воды течение, это жизнь, зеркало нашей души. (A river is not just the flow of water, it’s life, the mirror of our soul.)” I guess that’s why I felt such a connection to it, being a gnome with a soul as deep as the Mariana Trench!
На здоровье! (Cheers!) to crossing a whopping 7625.1 kilometers. I’ve been on the road for 255 days, and each day has been more enriching than the last. From Suponevo to Bol’shoe Polpino, and now, Khvastovichi – it’s been quite the adventure!
Of course, the language changes as I cross borders and regions. But as they say in Russia, “Язык до Киева доведет. (Your tongue can get you all the way to Kiev.)” So I guess my knack for picking up new languages is serving me well.
As I make my way through this expansive land, a local song, “Подмосковные вечера (Moscow Nights)” hums in my heart. It speaks of the deep and tranquil nights in Moscow, but to me, it’s a reminder of the serene and quiet beauty of Russia that I’ve witnessed throughout my journey.
До свидания! (Goodbye!) Until my next update, keep your hearts warm and your spirits high. Remember, the world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page. So let’s read on!
С любовью, (With love,)
Oliver
Wandering Khvastovichi’s Streets
Gnome’s Nifty Dabble-Daub
Painted en plein air while taking in the sights of Khvastovichi.
— Oliver the Gnome, aspiring artist
Khvastovichi: Pushkin’s Peaceful Paradise!
The second fascinating thing is the city’s deep connection with the renowned Russian poet, Alexander Pushkin. It’s said that the maestro himself often frequented Khvastovichi and was inspired by its beauty and tranquility. His famous quote about the city, “Khvastovichi, eto mesto, gde moe serdtse nakhodit mir“, (Khvastovichi, it is the place where my heart finds peace), is still fondly remembered by the locals.
Even today, the city vibrates with the music of Rachmaninoff, the verses of Pushkin, and the strokes of the great artist Shishkin. Khvastovichi is not just a city, it’s a living piece of Russian culture and history.
Soup-erb Russian Rendezvous!
Greetings from the historic city of Khvastovichi! Today, I’m sharing a local favorite, Shchi, a traditional Russian cabbage soup.
Here’s the recipe:
1. Grab a капуста (cabbage) and chop it.
2. Throw it into a pot with вода (water), add картофель (potatoes) and морковь (carrots).
3. After 15 minutes, add chopped лук (onions) and томатная паста (tomato paste).
4. Let it simmer until everything’s soft, then season with соль (salt) and перец (pepper).
5. Serve with a dollop of сметана (sour cream) and fresh укроп (dill).“Приятного аппетита!” (Enjoy your meal!)
Remember the key to a good Shchi is свежие продукты (fresh ingredients). So, get them from local рынок (market). Here’s to cooking the Khvastovichi way!
Khvastovichi’s Gnome-nificent Wonders!
See you tomorrow!
Around the World on Foot, in Many, Many Days 