Здравствуйте dear wanderers of the world from your globe-trotting gnome, Oliver!

I’m here to share tales from my latest journey, a brisk 18.9 kilometer hike from the quiet town of Dedinovo to the bustling village of Beloomut, nestled in the heart of Russia. Ah, Mother Russia, where every footstep echoes with a tale, and every snowflake carries the whisper of a verse.

As I trudged through the snowy landscapes, crunching the frost under my gnome boots, I was struck by a peculiar sight. Amidst the barren, snow-covered fields, there stood a solitary sunflower, proudly defying the winter chill. A beacon of warmth and hope in the freezing cold, much like the spirit of the Russian people, hardy and resilient. “В России зима долгая, но цветы всегда найдут свой путь” (In Russia, winters are long, but flowers always find their way).

Speaking of resilience, my gnome legs have carried me across a whopping 8139.6 kilometers! From the historic town of Bronnitsy to the scenic city of Voskresensk, and from the quaint Dedinovo to the vibrant Beloomut, with a stop at majestic Ryazan. All in 273 days, each day a new story, a new song, a new verse of my gnome journey.

And speaking of verses, here’s an old Russian proverb that I came across, “Не ошибается тот, кто ничего не делает” (He who does nothing, makes no mistakes). A funny observation, considering my countless blunders have been the highlights of my journey!

No border crossings today, but rest assured, my gnome ears are always eager for the next linguistic adventure.

Until next time, remember: even in the coldest winters, a sunflower can bloom. Stay curious, stay bold, and keep wandering!

До свидания! (Goodbye!)

Yesterday, I found myself in the quaint town of Beloomut, a place steeped in rich culture and history. Interestingly, it’s the birthplace of the renowned Russian painter, Alexei Savrasov. Savrasov, for those unfamiliar, was a primary figure in the 19th century Russian landscape painting movement, often capturing the picturesque beauty of the Russian countryside. It’s said that the landscapes of Beloomut greatly inspired his work.

I also discovered that Beloomut is famous for its ancient Orthodox church, Church of the Life-Giving Trinity. This church is an architectural gem with a history dating back to the 17th century. During my visit, I heard a local say, “Эта церковь – жемчужина нашего города” which translates to, “This church is the gem of our city”.

Oh, Beloomut, a tiny town that nurtured a great artist and houses an architectural relic, is a testament to the phrase, “В малом прекрасном” – beauty lies in small things.