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Yeah, I know, I know, traveling is a tricky deal nowadays with the pandemic at large. But, it doesn’t hurt to take a look at the times when people were able to travel, before all of the lockdowns and quarantines.

And this story isn’t your run-of-the-mill travel thing, oh no. Its protagonist is actually a 91-year-old woman from Russia who had, despite her very venerable age, been traveling places. And not just around Russia, mind you, but also outside its borders, whether it’s an exotic location or not!

Yep, Elena Erkhova, more commonly known as Baba Lena, a babushka (or simply granny) from the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, traveled to places you wouldn’t expect a 91-year-old to go, and documented her travels across social media.

Alas, Baba Lena passed away in 2019 at the ripe age of 91, but she has left a legacy of her travels on her Facebook. We invite you to celebrate Baba Lena’s life in the list we’ve compiled below, and to remember that it’s never too late to go do something, especially if it’s something you always wanted to do.

#1

In The Tuva Republic

In The Tuva Republic

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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lukewarren avatar
haha laser go brrr
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Her (correct me if I'm wrong) tunic in the second pic is giving me earth kingdom vibes

So, meet Elena Erkhova, a 91-year-old lady from the Siberian City of Krasnoyarsk, Russia. She seems to have always been an avid traveler, and back when the Soviet Union was around, the people did have a lot of opportunities for travel, albeit in a more closed environment. But hey, the union was gigantic.

Back in the 1970s, when she was in her 40s, Lena had a chance to travel to Prague, Poland, and East Germany—some of the countries that were allowed as travel destinations outside of the Soviet Union.

#2

At The Parthenon Of Books, Kassel, Germany

At The Parthenon Of Books, Kassel, Germany

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

#3

Joining The Culture Of The Taino Indians

Joining The Culture Of The Taino Indians

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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Allmeow-err
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Taíno were an Arawak people who were the indigenous people of the Caribbean and Florida. At the time of European contact in the late 15th century, they were the principal inhabitants of most of Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola (the Dominican Republic and Haiti), and Puerto Rico.

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But travel was never cheap, and her journeys were cut short due to the fact that she didn’t have the time or the money to do any of it... until she turned 83, when her passion for travel was rejuvenated and she decided she once again wanted to see more of the world.

In an interview with Ananova, Lena said that her friends had asked her why never traveled. She had the money at that point, after all. And she thought to herself, “well, why not?”

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#4

The Naadym Festival, Tuva Republic, Russia

The Naadym Festival, Tuva Republic, Russia

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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#5

Rafting In The Yenisey River (Mongolia / Russia)

Rafting In The Yenisey River (Mongolia / Russia)

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

#6

Rome, Italy

Rome, Italy

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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Lena used to save up money from her pension as well as selling flowers and knitted goods. And this worked for her to be able to travel to places you wouldn’t expect a 91-year-old on a Russian pension to travel to.

Locations include many places around Russia, e.g. Republic of Tuva, Novosibirsk, Mount Elbrus, and Moscow, as well as places outside Russia, like Germany, Thailand, Tenerife (Spain), Italy, Vietnam, and many more.

#7

At The Riu Garoe Hotel In Tenerife, Spain

At The Riu Garoe Hotel In Tenerife, Spain

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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#8

Istanbul

Istanbul

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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marianne eliza
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would love a tunic like the right pic. Is there a proper name for it that I can google?

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During her travels, she wasn’t afraid to take part in a variety of activities. For the most part, it was sightseeing and visiting truly spectacular places, but she is also seen riding a camel in Israel or a motorcycle in Vietnam—Vietnam style—going rafting, partaking in cultural endeavours and celebrations, and more.

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During one of her travels, she met a fellow Russian named Ekaterina Papina. Papina shared a picture of her encounter with Lena—who, by the way, always traveled alone, making it all even more amazing—and the picture managed to go viral online, receiving over 14,000 shares on Facebook.

#11

The Geographical Center Of Asia

The Geographical Center Of Asia

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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Since then, her grandson created a social media presence for Lena and started documenting her travels on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Unfortunately, Grandma Lena passed away from cancer back in 2019, and her YouTube and Instagram were emptied out. Only her Facebook account still stands as a memorial and legacy of her travels.

#14

The Moscow Skyscrapers

 The Moscow Skyscrapers

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

#15

Belokurikha, Altai, Russia

Belokurikha, Altai, Russia

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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#16

Beach Carnival Night In Thailand

Beach Carnival Night In Thailand

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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And her legacy lives on. We’re still talking about it, but many other news outlets have done that too. To date, the elderly lady had over 8,000 followers on Facebook, over 5,000 followers on Instagram, and over 750 subscribers on YouTube, though these numbers could have been greater back when she was alive and people simply withdrew from these particular pages as they became empty.

#17

Monkey Beach, Tonsai Bay, Thailand

Monkey Beach, Tonsai Bay, Thailand

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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#19

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

 Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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#20

Parus Sanatorium, Novosibirsk, Russia

Parus Sanatorium, Novosibirsk, Russia

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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For Russian speakers, there is a video—a documentary, more specifically—about Baba Lena called How To Travel At 90? — Babushka Lena, detailing her travels and experiences during them.

#21

In The Tuva Republic

In The Tuva Republic

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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#23

Saint Basil's Cathedral, Moscow, Russia

Saint Basil's Cathedral, Moscow, Russia

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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#24

Phi Phi Harbor View Hotel In The Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

Phi Phi Harbor View Hotel In The Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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#25

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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tmw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This pic is so wonderful. The dress (or shirt) with a frill, the boobs. the glasses crooked, the eyes- one squinting. the hat. the smile. it is just amazingly homey and timeless and ... words fail me. so wonderful!

Lena is a prime example, one of many, in fact, that proves it’s never too late to start doing something you love. Lena came back to traveling at 83, a mere 8 years before her death, and her travels were quite concentrated during these days, showing just how energetic she actually was.

#26

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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#27

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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#28

Travelling To Tuva Republic

Travelling To Tuva Republic

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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#29

In The Mount Elbrus Area, Russia

In The Mount Elbrus Area, Russia

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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#30

Baba Lena Erkhova Report

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Note: this post originally had 31 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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