continue a virtual journey towards the sun. For two weeks (real-time travel) we arrived at the Tomsk - "naychernigovskogo" of Russian Siberia.

July 14, the 16-day trip. And yet - the French national holiday, Bastille Day. Although, of course, to France, I have nothing to do. Anyway, so far.

France - in the west, and my path ran east toward the sun. The next key after the city of Novosibirsk for me was to be Tomsk. To simplify the departure of one millionth of the city, took the train, having reached over 21 rubles to the station of the Swamp.

there in Tomsk was no more than 130 km. This distance is overcome fairly quickly hitchhiking, stopped the passenger "Nissan". On the track the car just did not happen story. Towards the driving "Kamaz", loaded with bricks. On uneven pavement and the truck jumped out of the body on the road flew out a few bricks. If the "Nissan" was 40-50 inches closer to the flight path of one of the bricks would intersect with the direction of the machine. Multiply the rate by weight - the consequences would have been disappointing ...

Tomsk - old Siberian city on the River Tom, a regional center. Founded in 1604. The population of 490 thousand people. Mechanical engineering and metal working, chemical, woodworking, food industry. The oldest University in Siberia (founded 1878). Scientific Center, Siberian Branch of RAS. The city is rich in architectural monuments, including the true masterpieces of wooden architecture. Many travelers of past centuries called the beautiful city of Tomsk in Asian Russia.

Remember Pushkin's lines - "A green oak ..."? Who in childhood was not into the mysterious fairy tale, illustrated by the poet in the first song of the poem "Ruslan and Ludmila"!

But few know that this legendary country lay under the medieval maps, the lower reaches of the Tom, which is exactly in what is now the Tomsk region. On the map French geographer G. Sampson, published in 1688 in Rome, and it is written - Lucomoria. After Lukomorye ancient Novgorod made their way to Siberia. In the capital of the ancient Lukomorya - Tomsk - I had to make unofficial chairman of Chernigov zemljachestva Hudobets Michael, with whom I had met long before the trip because of the "Internet". He guaranteed the location in the city and the rich cultural journalism program so I found a web address apartments for rent in Tomsk were not needed. Met with Mikhail Yakovlevich around the central building of the Tomsk University and went on his first job - in the office of JSC "Tomskneft" on Far Klyuchevskoy street.

few words about Michael Hudobtse. He Chernigovets radical, but from 1960 lived in Tomsk. Came here to work after military service and later life linked with Siberia. Worked as an operator of the oil field, a master and an engineer in the Exploration wells were Komsomol leader and trade unionist. Honorary Oilman of Russia, member of Russian Union of Journalists, author of "In the power of debt".

With outstanding communication in the city, decided to join people from Chernihiv. And there were many in Tomsk - about 30 people. And most importantly, almost all of them are well known in the city and region people: doctors, scientists, teachers, oil workers deserved. Towards a formal organization is not reached, but Tomsk Chernigov take part in many events organized by the Tomsk Center of Ukrainian culture "Dzherelo".

Only now, as I understood afterwards, between the "source" and a large fraternity of Chernigov no agreement. According to chairman of the "Source" Miroslava Philippi, Chernigov trying to distinguish themselves from other Ukrainian and adequately relate to people from Western Ukraine. I will not comment.

Tcherniakov proposed a program of action:

- Meetings will begin tomorrow with fellow countrymen. Now go to the apartment where to live. It belongs to my son, but now it repaired, so the apartment is available. Bed, refrigerator, hot water - all this is. And yet - a great view and close to home - the river Tom. If you like, you can swim.

We went to Zaozerny Lane, an ancient part of Tomsk, which is called Zaozerye. One hundred years ago there was a small lake, but eventually dried up. True, the street was left with the name of the lake embankment, although the lake itself is long gone. Situated in vested in me by the apartment for four days, rested, and in the evening, already at sunset, went to the river.

few days was hot and the river water was quite warm. But it is plagued by mosquitoes hide from them could only be in the water. Throwing clothes, went to Tom. To get to the depth, we had to move away from the shore as much for a good 150 meters! Subsequently learned that several years ago in this place were going to do road bridge over the river and even deposit a primer for future support structures. But then the idea of building the bridge for some reason, refused, and remained stranded. Bathed, and returned to shore, and escaping from the mosquitoes quickly and almost ran back to his temporary home.

for tomorrow, I set a record in his own journalistic practice - during the day has six (!) Interview. This has contributed to Michael Hudobets - people are extremely energetic and restless.

- You must meet with the most famous Chernigov Tomsk. I have already informed them of your arrival. Get in the car and ready to use voice recorder ...

The day I met and talked with the inventor of the drug "Abisib" Kosteshoyu Nicholas, a professor at Tomsk University, Edward Chernyak, Deputy Dean of the Journalism Department at the same university, Vladislav Gubsky known physician Natalia Prosekinoyu, world champion Andrei Chesnokov Powerlifting and poshukivtsya Natalia Morokova (that she once found the burial place of the father of former President Kravchuk of Ukraine LD).

next day I devoted a familiarity with the history of the city and its architecture. Tomsk main temple is now the Cathedral of the Epiphany Cathedral. And one of the largest of its relics - a bishop's staff of St. Theodosius of Chernigov, brought in Tomsk Reverend Agapito, the first bishop of Tomsk (in years 1832-1834 Agapit (Ascension) was a bishop of Chernigov). More than 70 years, the staff was kept in the vaults of the Tomsk Regional Museum, and in 2002 by Patriarch Alexy II was finally returned to Epiphany Cathedral.

Wooden architecture of Tomsk - it's all a fairy tale! She - the most important and most beautiful sight of the city, which makes Tomsk unique and original. Unfortunately, it survived only the old home of the late nineteenth - early twentieth century, but they are obvious tradition of wooden architecture in the Russian North, the Russian Baroque and Classical, all enhanced by decorative, borrowed from local and Oriental peoples. A huge role in the architecture of these homes are breathtaking subtle patterns of different decor analogues in Russia. When you see these homes, could not help comparing them with festively dressed women.

Wonderful old wooden houses of Tomsk established conventional hands of craftsmen, architects, carpenter, whose names are largely unknown, and the skills passed down through generations. Wizard tool was simple and unpretentious: sharpened hatchet, a saw, planer, chisels and chisel set - that's the entire arsenal of folk artists. But his works are distinguished by a jeweler's precision and clarity of execution.

However, the wooden architecture is peculiar only drawback - it is a general dark color of the aging wood. Dark brown and gray houses look beautiful on clear days, when ihni architectural details highlighted light and shade, but in cloudy weather, they lose the clarity and expressiveness. In addition, the tree is not an eternal material, it needs constant care and restoration.

lot of monuments of wooden architecture of the Siberian cities are lost, so you should have time to look at those who survived, those that are covered with poetic folk art. They seemed to radiate heat by masters carpenter that left us poems from a tree, created by wise laws of beauty.