Приветствую, мои дорогие читатели! (Greetings, my dear readers!)

Ah, the 21.4km trod from the city of Zhukovskiy to Bronnitsy! It was a journey filled with the rich aroma of Russian birch trees, the distant hum of city life and the vibrant colors of local culture.

As I shuffled my tiny gnome feet through the Russian terrain, an interesting observation caught my eye — or should I say, my nose! Embedded in the heart of Bronnitsy, I found myself amidst the most delicious smell of freshly baked Russian ‘Pirozhki’. These small baked or fried buns stuffed with a variety of fillings are a staple here. As the local saying goes, “Pirozhki – eto dusha russkoy kukhni” (Pirozhki is the soul of Russian cuisine).

So far, I’ve been on this amazing journey for 269 days, covering an impressive distance of 8032.1 kilometers on foot. From the hustle and bustle of Podolsk to the grandeur of Moscow, the cozy ambience of Zhukovskiy, and now, the rustic charm of Bronnitsy, each city has offered its own unique taste of Russia. My next stop is the city of Voskresensk.

Now, let’s not forget about the local music that accompanies me on my journey. There’s a song I’ve been humming, a famous one by Vladimir Vysotsky, “Ya ne lyublyu” (I don’t like). As the lyrics go, “Ya ne lyublyu, kogda drozh’ v rukakh…” (I don’t like it when there’s a tremor in my hands…), it’s an expression of the Russian soul – deep and philosophical.

As I didn’t cross any borders on this leg of the journey, the language remained Russian. However, the local dialects and accents bring their own flavor, painting a colorful linguistic landscape.

So, until next time, До свидания! (Goodbye!). Enjoy life’s journey, relish the Pirozhki and remember, as the Russian proverb says, “Doroga lozhka k obedu” (The spoon is valuable at dinner) – the value of things often becomes most apparent in their use.

As I waddled into the heart of Bronnitsy, I could feel the weight of its rich cultural history. Did you know the city boasts the majestic Assumption Cathedral, a towering edifice that whispers tales of faith and resilience from the 18th century? Its ornate frescoes are reminiscent of the works of Russia’s great artist Ilya Repin, each stroke narrating a story.

I also visited the famous Shukhov Tower, a marvel of engineering named after its creator, Vladimir Shukhov. This hyperboloid structure, standing tall against the skyline, prompted me to muse, “Великая вещь, этот человеческий интеллект” (Great thing, this human intellect).

As the great Russian composer Rachmaninoff once said, “Музыка – это откровение, выше, чем мудрость и философия” (Music is a revelation higher than wisdom and philosophy). Bronnitsy, with its stories etched in stone, silence, and sky, indeed sings a melody that is a revelation to any wandering soul.