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

In my latest escapade, I waddled a glorious 26.9 kilometers from the quaint town of Tersa to the equally charming Natal’ino in the heart of Russia. It was a journey filled with the hum of the wind and the rustle of leaves, the sight of a thousand trees standing tall, their branches creating a beautiful canopy above the road.

“Жизнь – это не то, что случилось с нами, это то, что мы помним и как мы помним это.” (Life is not what happens to us, it’s what we remember and how we remember it.) – a quote by the famous Russian author, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, aptly sums up my journey.

One observation that struck my stony heart was the sight of an old babushka (grandmother) tending to her garden by the roadside, her gnarled hands moving with an ease born of years of practice. It reminded me of a verse from the famous Russian poet, Alexander Pushkin’s poem, “I Loved You”: “Я вас любил: любовь еще, быть может…” (I loved you: love may still…) This sight was a testament to the resilience and love that is so deeply ingrained in the Russian culture.

In this latest leg, my total journey has now covered a staggering 9093.0 kilometers over the span of 309 days. From the charming streets of Podlesnoe, through the bustling city of Volsk, the tranquil beauty of Tersa, and now to the inviting warmth of Natal’ino, and not to forget, a quick stop at Nikolayevskiy. Each city, with its own tale to tell, each tale adding another layer to the story of my journey.

“Путь длиннее, чем вы думаете.” (The journey is longer than you think.) – a local saying, and I couldn’t agree more. But as they say, the longer the journey, the more the stories, and I can’t wait to share more of mine with you.

До свидания! (Goodbye!) Until next time, my friends, as I continue to tread the path less trodden.

Natal’ino, ah, the city that echoes the melodies of Tchaikovsky and the verses of Pushkin! Two things that left an indelible impression on me were its history and culture.

Natal’ino is steeped in history. The city’s ancient walls whisper tales of the past. One can almost hear the echo of the phrase “Стены говорят” (Walls Speak). It’s as if time has frozen, and you’re walking through a living, breathing history book.

As for the culture, it’s like a beautiful symphony, a blend of the old and the new. The locals live and breathe the works of their famous compatriots. I was lucky to witness a public recital of “Я помню чудное мгновенье” (I remember a wonderful moment) by Alexander Pushkin, their beloved national poet. It was a spectacle to behold, the words floating in the air like snowflakes, each one carrying its own tale.

Indeed, Natal’ino is an embodiment of the Russian soul – passionate, mysterious, and infinitely beautiful.