Lost In Kalmykia | Europe's Weirdest Republic

🇷🇺 Just over 400 years ago a tribe left their homeland in western Mongolia and made their way to Europe. They settled on the windy steppe lands of southern Russia and continued their way of life. I went in search of them and discovered a Buddhist republic living in the heart of Europe. Oh and it is VERY windy there.

[@FreeHuman1997]

100 Euros!!! 50 Euros! Okay 70 cents would be enough.

[@markseto1172]

"This could be an actual gulag." "It was an actual gulag."

[@MrTTuguldur]

Kalmyks are Mongols and you have heard language in the concert, thats Kalmyk language. I am a Mongolian lives in Ulaanbaatar and i still understand their language even we were apart for almost 400 years.

[@n3rdy11]

Turns out the friendly dog was actually supposed to guard the gulag.

[@zenzen6473]

I am a Kalmyk, and our Republic is very beautiful, come in the spring, there will be a flowering of tulips

[@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156]

I do hope you realize just how vitally important it is to make records of these precious small cultures. In 200 years, ethnologists will probably know your name.

[@konstantingeist3587]

"on the horizon, I see watchtowers and barbwire. let's get closer!" what could possibly go wrong

[@SevenBears1]

You and i would have turned back.. Bald goes to danger.. Brave, Dumb or Crazy ? Thats why we watch..

[@PeterDaltrey]

Mr Bald: Let's see inside a real gulag... THIRTY years later exiting: Well, folks.....that was a real gulag. I hope you enjoyed the video...

[@missco89]

My russian Babushka passed away in March and I miss her so much. Sometimes when you film russian Babushkas I see her - the way they dress, the way they talk. She was the kindest woman ever

[@siry112]

best GPS = Russian babushkas

[@baldandbankrupt]

Everything that could possibly go wrong whilst making this film did go wrong. The weather, lack of people on the street, accidentally stumbling into one of Russia’s worst prisons and being kicked out the town. All a total disaster! Well at least there was some decent Kalmyk music. Skip to the end if the wind is too intense for your ear drums. Cheers bratans!

[@jackyboy6321]

Good shit as always. Keep it up.

[@colsonrizzuto7973]

would love to see you go to Mongolia

[@sajanlimbu4995]

Bald looks more bald

[@mikeyoung8547]

DAMN IM HYPED TO WATCH THIS NOW

[@hellomjb]

Still great stuff!!!!!!

[@modkappa]

Soviet wind is trying to ruin the video.

[@MsEccentric]

ps. i want to reach the 1ksubs and 4kwatchhours on youtube. need help🙏

[@TruthIsTheNewHate84]

@@MsEccentric begging for subs isn't the way to accomplish that my friend. Make interesting content. Subs, Views, and Likes will follow.

[@marxy4328]

@@MsEccentric no

[@unfairfight3625]

Soviet winds 😂😂😂😂 classic.

[@MsEccentric]

@@TruthIsTheNewHate84 ok thanks

[@another90daystochangethis34]

Soviet era: Get forced into gulag Modern day: Get forced out of gulag

[@JediSimpson]

Better out than in, I always say.

[@isakstahlberg9318]

This is the most interesting youtube channel i have ever stumbled on to, keep up the good work!

[@klausgerhard2049]

Hes alive! Good!

[@umesha3378]

I cannot believe the guts you have to just go in the middle of nowhere, with absolutely no pre-planning, and give us an experience that we will never have. One of the best videos.

[@sveukurac1389]

-Give me 100 euro! -100 euro??? - ok give me 50 euro! - 50 euro?!? Euro or rubel? - ok rubel...

[@oneof134]

How much 50 rube?????

[@olanordmann1252]

@@oneof134 is nothing. under $1

[@MickyAspire]

These guys have got no dignity left lmao

[@digitalgreenie]

Perfect negotiation tactic implemented by Bald

[@КонстантинП-ь4ф]

@@oneof134 80 cents

[@michaelbread5906]

Haha Haha! That guy wanted 100 Euro's! The look of shock on your face is hilarious Bald! The second he heard you were not Russian, he wanted some of that tourist cash!

[@Алексей-о9б4г]

If the bald was Russian but from Moscow or St. Petersburg it would be the same, only a different "price".

[@F0nkyNinja]

Should have said: You can have some ruble if you speak some Kalmyk language."

[@eg1885]

Huge difference between euros and rubles. 100 euros = 7000 rubles.

[@polinapopova1178]

He would’ve asked that from a Russian person too. Unfortunately people in those villages drink a lot and they would ask for money from any non-local who would’ve approached them.

[@seth561]

Accidentally wandering into a gulag is the most Soviet thing you can do

[@michcalder88]

That guy politely mugged you, haha.

[@xingoo4435]

American truck haha. One was french and the other Swedish.

[@scottcurtis6542]

I just have so much respect for the effort you put into these videos and your channel. The fact they are so raw is why I watch them.

[@realone8575]

Very Buddhist of that man to ask for money straight off the bat.

[@sunchasersteam5098]

2:38 Mr Baldy sees a Renault and a Volvo: - American truck here in Russia Everything in the world is either Soviet or American :D

[@DannyOvox3]

11:23 the sweetest thing, poor doggy just wants some food probably

[@AccurateEnglish]

Enjoy your rest Mr. Bald. So glad to know that you're OK. We care about you and worry about you. Take all the time off that you need. KZbinr burn out is a real thing.

[@baldandbankrupt]

Cheers AE. Back soon I hope

[@stevenwalther2699]

Hey Mate, Thanks to you I had never heard of Kalmykia. But when You first said you were heading that way out of Dagestan, I did some historical research. Super interesting tribe and situation from antiquity as well as the soviet disruption of there culture. If you did not dare to go there I would never have known about such interesting people. So this video is not a failure in any sense, but a huge launchpad to understanding remote cultures to the fog of knowing the easternmost part of the European western world. I applaud your daring and efforts, carry on!

[@baldandbankrupt]

That's good enough for me Steven 👍🏻

[@primark3901]

Bald: “It could be, an actual Gulag” *Bald approaches the actual Gulag*

[@gingerleegirl6697]

Primark what is a gulag?

[@MaxNaumenko]

@@gingerleegirl6697 It is a Russian prison

[@rockie8254]

@@gingerleegirl6697 a prison for ginger girls.

[@5thdisciple940]

@@gingerleegirl6697 Soviet Labor Camp.

[@BL00DRIDER]

@@gingerleegirl6697 a forced labor camp

[@snaker9er]

Weird bald guy sneaking around with video camera: "She wasn't the friendliest"

[@oldskoolraver1079]

This is one of the best travel shows, not only on KZbin but generally. I really want to go on a road trip across Russia. So little known, yet so many different things to see and explore.

[@anatolpomozov9480]

Russia is a large country and has many places that are different from each other. Definitely worth visiting it.

[@snicklefritz4209]

You should travel to Russia’s coldest city Yakutsk it’s the coldest region in Russia

[@Gichti.]

You need to visit old German tribes in Russia.

[@Cma2506]

Bald asks the taxi driver to drop in the middle of nowhere Also bald: Oh no I am in the middle of bloody nowhere

[@indianterry8176]

Never had a desire to travel to Russia. I’ve watched most of your videos and am planning now to visit in 2020. Thanks my Bald brother

[@yogotti2115]

Kalmykian here. Come there in the end of April to witness tulip blossom, fascinating thing to do!

[@Opa96]

Hey Mr. Bald! Nice Content! One Question: Can you go to German Villages in Russia, where the people speak the German language? I think you can find them in the near of the River Wolga and i think also in the national Rajons Asowo and Halbstadt.

[@PancakesBP]

I like how that dude just straight up asked u for cash lmao

[@evilegobrain2245]

I just saw a band in Philadelphia, Pa here in the states called “The Hu”. They are a traditional throat singing metal band from Mongolia. I highly recommend them. Listen to their songs “Wolf Totem” and “The Great Chinggis Khaan”.

[@towjam37]

Evil EgoBrain that’s pretty cool!

[@nikkid4890]

Oh, I got goosebumps when the Kalmyk Throat Singing started 12:40! LOVE it. Thanks for sharing another incredible experience

[@CitruSouls]

Ever since discovering these videos I have found myself looking into Russian language courses, researching and reading about Russian culture, and wistfully looking at entry visa requirements. This guy is truly living my dream. Makes me jealous.

[@baldandbankrupt]

Great! Hope you make it here one day

[@joshuasims5421]

The Kalmyk writing in the house of culture says ‘Jangar’, the name of a great hero of the Kalmyk/Oirat people.

[@clarkkent5245]

"Nobody gives detailed directions quite like Russian babushkas"

[@DerSpielfuehrer]

"can i have 100€? " i should try that too

[@nikitadenisenok]

Wow! I grew up in Kalmykia, so nice to see familiar sights and this bloody wind :3 I have a feeling that something missing in this video about kalmyks...oh, it's locust)

[@wuhr2790]

He sounded so English when he said "Brighton" haha

[@mikem7159]

This doesn't look so different from some of the plains states in the US. You won't find Soviet style apartment buildings in such areas, but you will encounter the lone gas stations and small roadside stores. Also, I don't think American authorities would appreciate someone approaching their prisons on foot. I love these videos, but what impresses me most is the human interaction between Ben and the locals. I really feel, that except for the language and some of the cultural barriers, the people he meets could be my friends too.

[@enki4589]

WD40 needed in Kalmykia!!!

[@bhaskarbharali5853]

Will you go to Volgograd( former Stalingrad) Mr Bald? It's one of the most Soviet places in the Universe.

[@Spjerdalai]

recently found this channel, bingewatched lot of the videos and came to the conclusion that you have to be the guy to meet the first aliens to represent us :D

[@Temuulen582]

Thank you Bald for showing us part of our nationality,sending lots of love from Mongolia

[@silvermainecoons3269]

It’s so eerie how everything is completely deserted. This is such a fascinating channel!

[@harrisonsiegel9536]

Nobody: Bald getting out of a car: UWAGGH

[@baldandbankrupt]

Haha made me chuckle

[@NKDuisburg02]

The cut to your room was legendary. Nearly pissed my pants.

[@KaTiA19890901]

KZbin just randomly recommended me one of your videos. I’ve been binge watching you for hours!!! There is something about your nature, that is so pleasing. Thank you for being a breath of fresh air here on this channel. Can’t wait for more

[@doublin35]

The best travel blog type video on youtube. Very honest, interested in the local population & their lives. Always feel like I'm there with you & enjoying what the people have to offer/ and what simple happiness you bring to their day. People are people, no matter what different culture

[@rinzinnamgyal4335]

Beautiful Buddhist temple..lots of love frm Tibet 😘😘

[@ДоолянЭрнцн]

That's great! I'm Kalmyk. Are you still in Elista? I would like to meet you! Is it possible?

[@funny-video-YouTube-channel]

Kalmykia is like the wind power house of the world :-) So much wind energy potential :-)

[@God4445]

you guys ever get jealous of people that haven't discovered bald yet? They can binge watch so many Russian episodes now.

[@jackel785]

I had to rewind like 10 times when the dog ran up to him. That was such a good doggo

[@daynerthechamp]

Absolutely love your videos Bald! Ill immediately stop what I'm doing to watch as soon as they're uploaded!! Fantastic content.

[@2213blaise]

everybody: man this place is depressing People from the rural midwestern united states: this looks like where I'm from

[@shanegrimes3455]

Bolivia is more depressing

[@2213blaise]

@@shanegrimes3455 yeah it is atleast i dont worry about getting burned alive

[@nigonkouk1770]

LoL :|) but with no cops'

[@putrapalguna]

How i love all of his videos. After a long day. A cold milk and a chocolate and his videos. Perfect.

[@tashasaati9918]

It was very cool! Thank you for this video. I am Russian but never visited Kalmykia. By the way, may be one day you can go to Karachaevo-Cherkessia region. Beautiful place! There are mountains covered with the snow, old forests, cable road running through the forest. My childhood memories! Also, we have a lot of wonderful places on the Black sea: Sochi, Gelendzhik, Novorossijsk. Well, one can travel all his life through Russia. Hope one day to visit England. But Montreal, where I live, is also interesting city.

[@user-tw9wn7xz7w]

he kept his hood on so the wind wouldn’t mess up his hair

[@bellejolie2506]

It would be really cool if you could visit an "Old Believers" community in Russia! (similar to the American Amish, they live in isolation, and are self sustaining.)

[@radikkayupov]

You should go to eastern bashkortostan, there is a lot of native speakers of bashkir language

[@SC-vw1nx]

Радик are they native Turkish ?

[@SC-vw1nx]

Or Tatar ?

[@radikkayupov]

@@SC-vw1nx tatar and bashkir languages are very similar, every person who speaks bashkir can understand tatar.

[@corvusduluth]

@@radikkayupov Radnik privyet, you are 'rad'. Wasn't Bald in Chelyabinsk?

[@deepakgogoi5975]

What a dismal looking, deserted village, but the Kalmyk music! Fabulous. You keep amazing your viewers with vlogs from fascinating places off the beaten track.

[@theobreakspear3068]

I like it when the videos don’t quite work out, it feels like we’re travelling and discovering things with you, and sometimes not much happens and we just hang out

[@liamdavid2964]

"well what do you know, it actually was a gulag" lmao

[@Zorn27]

This guy is so respectful of others people's cultures. Cultures I have never heard about.

[@EternalRainOfLight]

It's amazing to see how much hard work and efforts you put in to make video. You research about history, language, origin of people and a lot of Soviet Humor. Unlike most of the others who just walk around with a GoPro. Never forget to like the video even before watching. Content has to be good.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Have you seen the movie Genghis Blues yet? If not you'll enjoy it. That was some interesting exploring despite the setbacks. I kind of like those weird abandoned places myself. Good thing they didn't find your camera or that could have been bad.

[@modernnomad8852]

Very interesting. I stayed many years in Mongolia and would love to visit Kalmykia! Looks like the language is the same!

[@eddiesuarez5160]

Mr.100rupees has a long lost brother mr.50rubles 🤣😂

[@ivankaurin7429]

you are the only travel vlogger that I watch and will ever watch...

[@BichaelStevens]

Chechnya danger video when? You said you would post when safe

[@evangplayer1829]

I have been watching you for some time and your hilarious. You have uplifted many of my down days, thank you

[@maverickjohnson1399]

Absolutely incredible! So glad you weren't detained for a lengthy amount of time! Thanks for sharing your adventures, don't be so discouraged! Wow that singing at the end was superb, it must take years to get your voice to sound like that! Wow! Thanks brother!

[@FarterBoom]

I learn more from you about Kalmykia in 14 minutes than my lifetime in school

[@MrEditorsMusic]

When will you talk about that crazy thing that happened in Chechnya?

[@jaylynnw1645]

Editors Music whattt?

[@rayyanali4471]

What happened in Chechnya?

[@MrEditorsMusic]

@@jaylynnw1645 Check out his video "Chechnya Isn't What You'd Expect!", the comment says "I have a mad crazy to share with you guys about what happened in Chechnya, but I will wait until I am in safe territory like some Bolivian before I make a video about it. Today I'm going to a mountain village for a bbq. Have a great weekend guys!"

[@kelkil79]

@@MrEditorsMusic Keep on him about that

[@Bobby-rq5pe]

Editors Music I don’t think he should because Chechens might get offended again and Chechen deathsquads are all over Europe

"American truck": Pointing at a French and a Swedish truck. :D

[@cocacoladog10]

yeah but the nose of the truck is American in Europe it would be flat

[@ummagumma9969]

He had in mind that volvo truck has a vehicle body of standart american truck

[@smitbar11]

Yup, Volvo and Renault, though the Volvo did look a bit Amerikanski

[@spoolinz1]

Dávid Molnár The Volvo VNL 670 in the video is exclusive to the American market only. Produced and sold only in America so yeah it is technically an american truck

[@Vick8000]

I'm sure what he meant was that the cab is behind the engine, like most American trucks.

[@Pllayer064]

Nobody: Bald: *look at these soviet mosaics in front of a wooden shithouse*

[@fieryrage7272]

SO unfortunate you didn't manage to hear the language. I hope you'll come back to Kalmykia in April or May, the most beautiful period of time in Kalmykia, eat our national food and meet nice people.

[@T1ddlywinks]

Bald comes in with the late-night KZbin clutch!

[@MsEccentric]

ps. i want to reach the 1ksubs and 4kwatchhours on youtube. need help🙏

[@BobbyKrieger]

Felt weird watching at night haha I always watch in the afternoon

[@rainerwinglerfiqqtcoonyvom5083]

Hah here its 6 am and i Go to Work in 20 min

[@combatantezoteric2965]

*morning

[@combatantezoteric2965]

8AM now

[@Schlomothebest]

Good you're back. I was fed up with your Norwegian friend

[@redblack9518]

Vote for Baldy as Time Magazine's Person of the Year!

[@WW2HistoryHunter]

Makes me so happy every time i watch Your adventure. Dont know why but just do. Thanks for sharing and Greetings from WW2HistoryHunter.

[@AlessandroMarcolin]

There is an Italian writer who has travelled extensively around these eastern European regions and his books are about that and very interesting and enjoyable to read (even if I don't agree with everything he says). His name is Paolo Rumiz, I'm not sure if his books are translated into English but if they are, I reccomend it. Or else, learn Italian ;-)

[@klwthe3rd]

I love how Bald tries to list all the towns(big and small) he stops at along his journeys so that I can follow his progress on Google maps. 🤗

[@Discostick55]

This is so fascinating. I continue to be amazed by your adventures. Thank you for teaching us about this part of the world I would've never known existed otherwise.

[@bestvibes1848]

These videos of bald in the middle of nowhere is everything

[@Chryslers1]

You don't disappoint me bc I don't know a lot about the places you visit in Russia or anywhere. I'm just grateful to you for taking us on your journeys. I'm watching you on my huge tv screen. I feel like I'm there with you holding the camera lol

[@deltaplan8236]

Proud of this. Kalmyk history, Kalmyk people, European Buddhists. Uralan!

[@raymondrace4837]

It’s all part of the adventure! Just hearing the wind caused me me to snuggle deeper in the blankets!!☺️😂☺️

[@jonahpitchel1997]

There is no other KZbinr better than this man

[@budg7525]

He has an equal - Harald Balder... They're same-same..... but different!!!

[@mishka3284]

I am Mongol, and Kalmykia is basically a replica of Mongolia in Europe, even Elista reminds me of Ulaanbaatar.

[@vtyan]

Your channel is amazing. I'am so glad I've discovered it. I actually lived 260km from Elista for half of my life and never even considered visiting it. Now rediscovering folklore and culture of different regions of Russia through your videos. Love from Moscow. Thank you for your work

[@MrAndrei4777]

Thank you for sharing all the amazing places you have visited in the former Sovjet Union. Great videos and great experience, I can't tell with words how cool your adventures are. I'm literally jalous and man, you have balls!

[@tstodgell]

Only 400 years ago? I think “Kalmyk” means literally “remainder” or “stayed-behind.” They are Oirats from Tibet who remained there after their cousins left in the late 1200’s. That’s nearly 700 years, isn’t it?