Hello, I’m Svetlana! Welcome to my unhurried journey!
I have embraced early retirement to fulfill my dream of slow-traveling the world with my life partner, Valery.
Why do we leave the comfort of home and dive into the chaotic uncertainty that world travel brings? Sleeping in unfamiliar beds, tasting strange foods, navigating new streets surrounded by a language we don’t understand …and loving every moment of it! I never feel more alive than when exploring new places, meeting new people, and discovering a deeper layer of the world.
Traveling Through Life
From my first solo trip as a teenager to discovering slow travel later in life, every journey has shaped how I see the world.
My first solo adventure was at 14, spending a month with my aunt near Moscow. Every day I took a 45-minute train into the city, armed with a paper map and a guidebook, discovering the streets on my own. At 17, I joined a university wilderness backpacking club, spending weeks under the stars, hiking mountains and forests. Those experiences crystallized what travel means to me: discovery, adventure, and a bit of self-exploration.
Over the years, life shifted. With family, work, and responsibilities, our travels became closer to home. “One day” was our promise — one day we’d see the bigger world. But a car accident and later a health scare reminded us that life can’t be put on hold. We began chasing our dreams right away, traveling as much as possible alongside work and family life, and eventually discovered slow travel: living in places for weeks or months, learning their rhythms, and really experiencing life there.
The Magic of Slow, Mindful Travel
It’s not the famous sights that make the biggest impression, but the little things we remember and cherish years later. For us, slow travel means noticing the small details that bring a place to life — sounds, scents, and everyday rhythms often missed when moving too fast. Here are a few that have stayed with us:
Waking up on Vieques to the gentle snorting of horses in the fog outside our window.
Watching pelicans in Campeche fight over fish innards discarded by fishermen—like playful cats.
Falling into the relaxed rhythm of Culebra, where stores proudly declare: “Open some days, closed others.”
Why We Started Unhurried Journey
This blog is our slow travel diary — a way to keep memories and impressions sharp instead of letting them blur together. It’s also a space to share our travel stories with family and friends, because sharing experiences doubles the joy of travel.
While I write the posts, Valery’s photography adds another layer to our stories, showing the places and moments through his eyes. Together, we hope our reflections and images inspire readers to see the world differently—or spark the urge to explore.
I’m glad you’re here, and I hope you’ll wander along with us.
If you’d like to read more about how our unhurried journey began, start with our first post: