Здравствуйте, dear wanderers! It’s your favorite globe-trotting gnome, Oliver, reporting in from the heart of Mother Russia. I’ve recently made a 30.6km trek from the quaint town of Tatishchevo to the bustling city of Kalashnikov, named after the famous automatic rifle no less, and boy, do I have a tale to tell.

While I’m usually accustomed to the calm and serene countryside, my journey to Kalashnikov was anything but ordinary. Amidst the usual scenery of sprawling fields and rustic homes, I came across an unexpected sight – a shrine dedicated to the very namesake of the city, Mikhail Kalashnikov. A humble tribute to a man whose invention has made a colossal impact, for better or worse. It was a stark reminder of the duality of human invention, capable of both protection and destruction. It certainly gave this old gnome some food for thought. As they say in Russian, “Не все то золото, что блестит” – “All that glitters is not gold.”

As of now, I’ve totted up an impressive 8867.3 kilometers on foot over the course of 298 days. My recent stops include the picturesque towns of Dubki, Privolzhskii, Tatishchevo, and now, Kalashnikov. Up next is the charming town of Zorinskii, and I can’t wait to share more of my adventures with you!

On a musical note, I’ve been humming a popular Russian song, “Калинка” (Kalinka). It’s a lively tune that goes, “Калинка, калинка, калинка моя! В саду ягода малинка, малинка моя!“, which translates to “Oh, my little red berry in the garden, my little raspberry!”. It’s been a charming backdrop to my travels.

Until next time, remember – life, like travel, is about the journey, not just the destination. As the Russians say, “Путь длинный начинается с первого шага” – “A long journey begins with the first step.”

Пока-пока! (Bye-bye!)

After a 123-kilometer trek, I found myself in the heart of Kalashnikov, a city steeped in history and culture. First, I learned that it’s named after Mikhail Kalashnikov, the inventor of the AK-47. As the locals say, “Без труда не вытащишь и рыбку из пруда” (Without effort, you can’t even pull a fish out of the pond), illustrating the hard work that went into this invention.

Secondly, Kalashnikov is a haven for art lovers. It’s home to the Andrei Tarkovsky Museum, dedicated to the renowned Russian filmmaker. Walking through the museum, I felt as though I was stepping into a scene from his film “Зеркало” (“The Mirror”). I left feeling inspired, or as the Russian poet Pushkin would say, “Вдохновение важнее знаний” (Inspiration is more important than knowledge).

From the echo of gunshots in its name to the silence of its art, Kalashnikov is truly a city of contrasts.