The fate of a person who lived in accordance with the norms of public morality during the main stages of the development of modern Russia is described: Stalinism, the Thaw, stagnation, perestroika, now. time. The attitude towards the polytechnic system and the development of personality from school to retirement are outlined. It is said that the end of the era of socialism occurred to the sounds of the funeral orchestras of the general secretaries, which sounded like the trumpets of the Archangel, announcing the end of the world. The features of the countries where the author visited on tourist trips are described.