Здравствуйте, my dear wanderers! Your favorite gnome, Oliver, has just completed a 43.8 kilometer trek from Klevenka to Pestravka in the grand land of Russia. Now, let me tell you, my little ceramic legs might be short, but they sure are sturdy!

One observation that took my breath away was the vastness of the Russian steppe. An endless patchwork quilt of green and gold, stretching as far as my beady little eyes could see. It was nature’s canvas, splashed with the vibrant colors of blooming wildflowers. It was like I had stepped into a painting. If I were a philosopher, I’d muse, “Does the gnome experience the steppe, or does the steppe experience the gnome?”

Then again, I am a gnome, so I guess I can muse about such things!

During my journey, I found myself humming a local song, “Полюшко-поле” (Polyushko-pole), also known as “Meadowlands”. The lyrics, “Полюшко-поле, полюшко, широко поле” (“Meadowlands, meadowlands, wide are the meadows”) truly encapsulate the expansive beauty I witnessed.

Now, a quick recap: I’ve been on the road for 315 days, enough to make a snail jealous of my pace. I’ve covered a whopping 9251.8 kilometers so far, with recent stops including Pugachyov, Klevenka (twice!), and now Pestravka (also twice!).

My journey is far from over, and neither is my storytelling. As a wise Russian proverb says, “В каждом маленьком гноме – большой путешественник” (“In every little gnome is a great traveler”).

До свидания (Goodbye) for now, my fellow globetrotters. Until the next step of our journey!

P.S. Remember, my dear readers, there are no borders for a gnome. Only the next garden waiting to be explored!

Day 315 – From the heart of Pestravka, I bring you tales of a city steeped in history and culture. The first gem is the Старый Город (Stary Gorod or Old Town), a well-preserved testament to the city’s past. As I meandered through its cobbled lanes, I could almost hear the whispers of yore, a symphony as timeless as Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.

The second treasure is the city’s vibrant art scene. I joined a local group painting a mural on the Площадь Искусств (Ploshchad Iskusstv or Arts Square). I added a small gnome, of course! The spirit of the great poet Pushkin seemed to breathe life into our brushes.

Pestravka, a city where history sings in the wind and culture paints the streets. As the Russians say, “История – это жизнь” (“History is life”). A gnome couldn’t ask for more!