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[Alexandr Korol]

It’s also interesting — imagine this time of year, the weather: rain, darkness.
There are only three hours of light, and even then it’s not sun, just a bit
of daylight for three hours, and then darkness again. Many people are
dressed in various shades of black. In general, it was lovely to see how
many girls wear headscarves — specifically a kerchief on the head, just as
was traditionally common in Russia in the past. Everyone walking around
in those scarves was very sweet.
I also want to point out that I went into a grocery store — one of the ones
I like near the Smolny Cathedral. I can’t recall the name, but I loved the
Christmas ornaments they were selling, just like back in the Soviet Union.
I was surprised by the massive variety of products: there’s Coca-Cola from
various countries, a huge selection of Russian products, and just everything
in general. I liked the way the people looked — both the women and the
men — how neatly everyone was dressed, and how intelligent and conscious
everyone seemed. For some reason, I was paying very close attention to this;
I was really attaching significance to it.
Perhaps for the first time in my life since birth, while being in Russia and
St. Petersburg, I felt this way and perceived people — and they perceived
me — as if there were no danger at all. It felt as if everyone was very good
and kind; you treat them that way, and they treat you the same.

While flying on the plane and moving around during my first days back
in Russia, I was, of course, simultaneously making notes of whatever
came to mind or stole my attention — things I need to communicate to my
reader through the book, through the 10th volume of “Alternative History”.
Suddenly, I began to remember back when I worked at the production center
— a long time ago when I was about 20 — I had an acquaintance who was a DJ.
It later turned out that he was of a different orientation. And only now
do I recall how I was back then: I didn’t want to punch him for it, I wasn’t
ashamed of him, and I didn’t immediately start mocking him. I had no such
reactions — no ridicule, no threats, no anger, no grievances. I just... of course,
I felt a little awkward. I was shy about that kind of information, as I
remember it. But it was as if I was so well-bred or so humble within myself
back then — this is very important, humble within myself — that I had none