April 7.
Today we finally made it back to Russia.
The journey wasn’t easy, but there’s a quiet relief in being home again.
Most importantly — all the luggage made it too.
And that’s already a small victory.
We even managed to bring back souvenirs for our relatives… which somehow took up an entire large suitcase.
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After the Road
Now I’m looking at thousands of photos that still need sorting — a different kind of journey waiting for me.
But today, I’ll keep it simple and share the last shots from the train.
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The Kazakh Steppe
The Kazakh steppe is one of the largest continuous grassland regions in the world, stretching across vast areas of Central Asia.
At first glance, it may seem empty — endless horizons, almost no trees, and only a few scattered settlements.
But the longer you look, the more you start to feel its quiet rhythm.
For centuries, this land has been home to nomadic cultures. Life here was built around movement, livestock, and the ability to adapt to harsh conditions — strong winds, extreme temperatures, and long distances between water sources.
Even today, many parts of the steppe remain untouched, where nature still dominates over human presence.
The land itself is not easy. The soil contains a lot of salt, and the climate can be unforgiving. Living here takes strength.
And yet, despite all that, the people are incredibly warm and full of life.
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A Small Moment That Stayed With Me
Right now, as I’m finishing this post, I’m drinking real homemade kumis.
I bought it at a small station from an elderly man — around 70 years old. One of those quick stops where everything happens in a few minutes, but somehow stays in your memory much longer.
Kumis is a traditional drink of nomadic cultures in Central Asia, made from fermented mare’s milk.
It has a slightly sour, refreshing taste and contains a small amount of alcohol (usually 1–3%).
Thanks to fermentation, it’s rich in probiotics and is known for supporting digestion and overall energy.
Simple Things
Sometimes it’s these small details that define the whole journey.
A train window.
A quiet station.
A drink bought in a hurry.
And the feeling that the road is behind you… at least for now.
Stay healthy.
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Thank you for your likes, your comments, and your time. It never goes unnoticed.
I write my texts myself, correct mistakes and translate via ChatGPT (which is not a violation on Hive)! All photos were taken by me personally - I am a beginner photographer, so I ask professionals not to judge strictly.
Thank you for sharing these moments with me! Until new stories and new holidays! ✌️.
Camera 📷: Sony Alpha 7 IV full-frame
Lens 🔭: Sony FE 70-200mm F: 2.8 GM OSS II
Lens 🔭: Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
Lens 🔭: Sony FE 24–70mm f/2.8 GM II
Processed 🛠: Lightroom
