What is the meaning of our life? What is more important - the destination or the journey to it? Does wealth make us happier? This book written by Czech geneticist provides his reflections of the questions each person may ask at some point in his or her life - the role of love, faith and friendship, the importance of childhood, the meaning of rites, passing of time and limitedness of our knowledge. The author has opted for the readable form of short essays, in which he presents his ideas in the context of the stories of his travels through the European mountains, Scandinavian wilderness and Russian countryside. The essays offer interesting overlaps with genetics, history and astronomy.