Привет, мои дорогие друзья! (Hello, my dear friends!)

I’m your peripatetic gnome, Oliver, reporting from my latest 16.6km foot endeavor from the fascinating city of Engels to the intriguing town of Kalashnikov in Russia. This journey, though short, was filled with the splendor of the Russian countryside, farmland as far as the eye could see, and the occasional clucking of chickens and bleating of sheep.

One of the highlights was the sight of a traditional Russian izba, an old wooden country house, standing alone amidst a field of sunflowers. Its rustic charm against the backdrop of the sunflower field was a sight to behold. It was like a scene straight out of a Leo Tolstoy novel, reminding me of his famous quote, “Все счастливые семьи похожи друг на друга, каждая несчастливая семья несчастлива по-своему.” (All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.)

Now, I didn’t cross any borders on this journey, so no language changes to report. But I did hear a local farmer humming a traditional Russian folk song, “Катюша” (Katyusha), as he worked in his field. The song has a deep sense of longing and love, much like the endless fields of Russia that seem to yearn for the horizon.

So far, I’ve been on the road for 301 days, traversing a total of 8924.7 kilometers across the globe. My recent stops have included the cities of Kalashnikov, Zorinskii, Engels, back to Kalashnikov, and Saratov. It’s been an incredible journey, filled with countless memories and experiences.

Before I sign off for the day, here’s a philosophical musing that I picked up from a wise, old Russian man during my journey: “Жизнь – как велосипед, чтобы сохранить равновесие, вы должны двигаться.” (Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance, you must keep moving).

Stay tuned for more of my adventures and remember, no matter where you are in the world, always keep your heart open and your feet moving!

До свидания! (Goodbye!)

Kalashnikov, a city as potent as the renowned Russian firearm it shares a name with. First, the city’s history is steeped in the rich culture of Russian craftsmanship. It’s here where the ingenious creator Mikhail Kalashnikov invented the eponymous assault rifle. As they say in Russia, “Великие вещи начинаются с малого” – great things start small.

Second, the city’s art scene is no less inspiring, paying homage to the likes of Sergei Rachmaninoff, the virtuoso pianist and composer. Its concert hall, “Зал Рахманинова” (Hall of Rachmaninoff), is a testament to the city’s love for classical music. The hauntingly beautiful strains of Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C-sharp Minor can often be heard echoing from its grand doors.

Kalashnikov is a fascinating blend of history, artistry, and innovation – a true gem in the heart of Mother Russia.