Trip

Today I caught myself thinking about something simple. We can work a lot, save money, and strive for different things. We buy something, and at first we feel joy, even admiration. It seems like this is something truly important. But then time passes—and that thing is either lost, loses its meaning, or disappears from life completely. And you realize: it was never really about the thing itself. Perhaps we should not focus too much on material things. They are unstable. Today they are here—tomorrow they are gone. What matters much more is what is inside you: experience, faith, character, and the people around you. And also—the Lord. Because no matter how life changes, He is the One you can rely on. Not as a formality or an obligation, but as a living support that remains when everything else fades away. And then, many things begin to fall into their proper place.

Another time, I found myself in a small German town while waiting for an early morning train. I needed to find a place where I could spend the night. I noticed a pharmacy with an electronic clock display outside. My smartphone was not working, so I could not check the time, and that display became a small point of reference for me. Near the pharmacy, I saw an unlocked building, and at the entrance there was a comfortable sofa. I walked through the corridor, said “Hallo,” but no one answered. I left my bags nearby, lay down, and immediately fell asleep. The next morning, I took the train to Berlin so I could make it to my appointment. My smartphone was still not working, and I had lost my glasses, so I could barely see. Again, this seemed to me like the care of the Lord: even in a foreign town, without familiar things, with tiredness and inconvenience, I was provided with a safe place and a way to orient myself by the electronic clock display so I could continue my journey.

In the summer of 2024, I found myself in the Alps. My bus was supposed to arrive only in the morning, and at night the roads were closed. I had to stay in Riezlern. Although it was summer, the cold felt like December. I was wearing only a light summer jacket and had two bags with me. My smartphone turned off and would not turn on again—later I found out that its main board had failed. I was looking for a place where I could get warm and noticed an unlocked entrance to a building. Going upstairs, I found a bench with a thin covering. I left my bags nearby, lay down, and immediately fell asleep. The next morning, after waking up, I went to catch the bus. It was raining, but I calmly reached my next destination. In this, I saw the care of the Lord: despite the difficulties and unexpected circumstances, I was given a safe place to sleep and the opportunity to continue my journey.

Once in Odessa, my gold chain with a cross broke—the clasp would not hold properly. I went to a workshop on Rishelievska Street, but either the repair specialist was not there, or it could not be fixed. When I left, the cross was still on my neck. Later, I took a маршрутка (minibus taxi) to Stepova Street, and on Melnytska Street I noticed that the cross was in my trouser pocket, while the chain was unfastened around my neck. I could not understand how it happened, because in that situation it could have been easily lost. At that time, this situation surprised me greatly, and I took it as a reminder of the importance of wearing the cross.

Again, I share this simply as my personal experience. Once in Odessa, near Zhytomyrska station, I was late for confession at the Alekseevskaya Church on Alekseevskaya Square, so that I could later receive Holy Communion. I turned to the Lord in prayer. The road was blocked—either because of a passing train or for another reason—and the transport had stopped. I ran to a маршрутка (minibus taxi) and still managed to get to the church. At that moment, it seemed to me that the whole situation confirmed the importance of the Orthodox Church sacraments.

Evening in Osnabrück. A city of peace and quiet strength. Old streets, soft lights, reflections on wet stone. Walking here feels different. History is not loud — it is present. Osnabrück reminds me that real power is calm, steady, and patient. Every step forward matters. (Konstantin Pustovoitenko)

“At the end of the year, we can remember what the Lord has done for us, and at the beginning of the year, ask Him for what we need. Turning to the Lord in difficult moments brings comfort.” — Konstantin Pustovoitenko

Before my trip to Germany in January 2024, I went to Chisinau. I started driving to Chisinau early in the morning and arrived in Chisinau by evening. I wanted to see the sights of this city. This was my first trip abroad where I went alone without anyone. Along the way, I had to speak to someone in English. However, my English was poor at the time, although when I found myself in Poland the following month, it improved dramatically. After seeing sights such as Valea Morilor, Stephen the Great Central Park, the Water Tower, and other attractions, I had to catch a bus back. The trolleybus didn't reach my bus, so I had to run across the bridge to catch it. This bridge offered a beautiful view of the city at night, but I wasn't there. I had to catch the bus. I managed to reach my bus and left Chisinau on it.

“It is important to remember your salvation.” — Konstantin Pustovoitenko

Arriving in Munich for the first time in September 2025, I saw a beautiful, expensive city with many beautiful buildings. In one day, I saw many of Munich's sights.

Arriving in Hamburg for the first time in September 2025, I walked out of the train station. I saw a city reminiscent of American cities. It was just getting light, so I took a stroll through downtown Hamburg; it was very quiet. I took a bus across the Elbe and quickly returned to the station to go to Cuxhaven and see the North Sea. Arriving in Cuxhaven and finding myself on the beach, I saw a beautiful view: the North Sea on one side and the Elbe River on the other. The weather was nice, and I didn't want to leave, but I had to get back to Hamburg to go to Northeim. Back in Hamburg, I took Reeperbahn Strasse. This street is famous for being where the Beatles began their career. After my second stroll in Hamburg, I went to Northeim.

In September 2025, I wanted to leave Berlin and see the Baltic Sea. I arrived in Rostock. The sun was just setting over the Baltic Sea. The sunset ended very quickly, and it became dark, so I had to return to the station. On the way to the station, I walked through Rostock in the evening. Rostock is a very beautiful seaside city. There were no return trains from Rostock to Berlin because it was late. I didn't want to spend the night in Rostock and headed towards Hamburg. I didn't make it to Hamburg; I had to spend the night in Schwerin. In the morning, I arrived in Hamburg.