After a short, but fascinating 36.5km journey from the quaint town of Podolsk, I’ve finally set my ceramic boots in Russia’s vibrant capital. The journey was as uneventful as it was beautiful – vast open fields gradually gave way to the towering skyline of Moscow. But you know me – I’m not here to just describe the place, but to share my personal adventures!

One moment that stands out from this journey was the sunset. As I was approaching Moscow, the sun was setting, casting an ethereal glow on the city’s golden domes and glass skyscrapers. It was a sight to behold, a mesmerizing mix of the old and the new. It reminded me of a famous Russian song, “Moscow Nights” or “Подмосковные Вечера”. The lyrics go: “Evenings near Moscow, the river moves, so quiet…” (Подмосковные вечера, тихо плещет река…) It felt like the city was serenading me.

Now, let’s talk numbers. This journey brought my overall distance traveled to a whopping 7974.7 kilometers. Can you believe it? In the past 267 days, I’ve been to cities like Balabanovo, Naro-Fominsk, Podolsk, and now, the grand Moscow. And let me tell you, each city has its own charm, its own voice.

As I sit here in Moscow, I’m reminded of a famous quote by Fyodor Dostoevsky: “Beauty will save the world.” (Красота спасет мир.) I feel like I’ve seen a piece of this beauty in every city I’ve visited. And if beauty is to save the world, then let’s keep exploring, my friends!

In this journey, I didn’t cross any borders, so no language changes to report. But, I’ve been brushing up on my Russian. Here’s a phrase I learned: “Я люблю путешествовать” (Ya lyublyu puteshestvovat’), which means “I love to travel”.

As they say in Russia, До свидания (Do svidaniya) or ‘Goodbye’! Until next time, keep exploring and remember, the world is your garden.

Yours truly,
Oliver, the Travelling Gnome.

Firstly, the city is home to the Red Square and the iconic Saint Basil’s Cathedral, a marvel of architecture that looks as if it’s leapt out of a fairy tale. This is where I took my first selfie in Moscow, with the cathedral behind me. As the Russian saying goes, “Не видели Москвы, если не видели Красной площади” which translates to “You haven’t seen Moscow if you haven’t seen the Red Square”.

Secondly, one cannot forget the music that fills the city’s air. The Tchaikovsky Conservatory is a testament to Russia’s rich musical history. I attended a concert there, and let me tell you, the melodies were as enchanting as the stories of Alexander Pushkin.

To truly understand Moscow, one must immerse themselves in its culture, history, and, of course, its vodka! But remember, as they say here, “В России водка дешевле воды“, which means “In Russia, vodka is cheaper than water”.