Setting off from my hometown to South Africa, almost to the other end of the world, I wasn't thinking about writing anything new at all. I had at least three reasons for this: firstly, for almost a whole year before that, I had been in a creative crisis, and thoughts even visited me: "Maybe I won't write anymore?!" Secondly, the experience of past travels told me it was useless to expect creativity from myself abroad. I remember with what hope I went to England in the summer of 2003, thinking I would write there. But if I wrote anything there, it was insignificant and little. In the summer of 2004, I went to the United States, but even there, in three months, I wrote no more than five pages. In the autumn of 2006, during a bus tour of Europe, I also proved myself only as a "creative corpse." Although I could have written everywhere, it seems. Why did it suddenly start working out in South Africa? I don't know... Everything happened by itself. I just started. And it went on. I couldn't stop. I reveled in the process, giving myself to it. And there was a feeling that I was writing not only with my head or heart, but with my whole... SELF! My whole ME was participating in the process. By the way, for the first couple of weeks, I didn't think of this work as a "possible future book." I wrote because I liked it. And that was the most wonderful thing about my hobby.

And if I wasn't writing a book, then what was it, you might ask?! For starters, I was throwing ordinary text notes into the "My Blog" section on "(...).ru". I wanted to describe the places where I ended up, the sensations arising from visiting them. I wrote about meetings with interesting people and events. About my experiences. I liked it very much, impossibly so, when I managed to write easily and amusingly. When the text turned out not just readable, but such that you don't stumble over it, you swallow it "in one breath." For the sake of such a result, I enthusiastically spent my free time, giving this process as much strength as I had. It is surprising that despite the fatigue, the next morning I woke up fresh and satisfied: time had not been wasted.

And is it possible, while doing what you love, to waste time?! I think not. And you?

It was pleasant to look through the comments of people reading my posts, to receive praise for the lightness of the style and the fascination of the presentation. However, I didn't tell anyone that I was laboring over the text, checking it several times and correcting it. And although I always remained, and still remain, somewhat critical of it, overall I am satisfied. That was my small and big joy — to entice and interest people with my "Travel Notes."

My first book that was published was called "Travel Notes of Yevgeny Borisov." So, when I sent the text of the first pages of the book you are holding in your hands in electronic form to my cousin, a philologist and also a writer, he responded unexpectedly emotionally. He said he liked it very much, that I must continue writing! And that upon returning home, we would finish all this and release the second part of the "Travel Notes." He also said he would tear my head off if I didn't do it. I, of course, knew and know that Pavel praises first and then scolds (when "working on mistakes"), BUT... And it's not to say that such a thought hadn't visited me myself by that moment! I doubted for another week, gathered my thoughts, wrote. I will quote a part of that letter from my brother that concerns the publication of the book: "This is your chance, don't miss it! After all, we write something, we do something, not at all for those who are nearby, and those who believe in us, but more for those who WILL BELIEVE and one day will say: Look, Sandalkin's book showed me how it would be better, helped me figure it out easily and simply where I got confused. In my opinion, this is the HIGHEST reward for a writer! This will be a light and slightly carefree guide for those who will go on your or a similar program to South Africa. And you can do it! Somewhere to give a hint, somewhere to warn against a mistake, somewhere to be sad, somewhere to laugh, and this is your right! Your readers will appreciate it! Remember, like in Grishkovets' "Traces on Me," in the story "And It Was Said," the phrase when the man says to the hero: "I am seventy-six years old, and you know, I think I have earned the right to hold a fork in the hand that is comfortable for me to hold it in!" Brilliant! Simple! There is nothing superfluous! Go ahead, dare, I BELIEVE IN YOU!!!!!!!!!"

And at some point, I finally decided: "Why not?! How much longer am I going to be busy with all sorts of things and when will I start with my favorite business?!" From that moment on, I began to treat my post-notes as a future book.

WHO IS THIS WORK ADDRESSED TO?

My work, of course, will be interesting and useful to students or recent graduates who want to participate in "Work in South Africa" or volunteer programs. Or just to those who are going to come here someday. But most of all, it will probably suit readers who want to know what it's like to live in South Africa. Who is interested, together with me, to share the joys of traveling around this beautiful country. To see the everyday life (although, to be honest, I pay little attention to everyday life here). And most importantly, to try to understand and feel something about this other life, different from ours.

GENRE

I want to say right away that this is not a "guide to South Africa." It would be too presumptuous of me to take such a thing upon myself. Besides, there are special editions written by people more competent in the geography, state structure, and economic situation of this country. For example, I read the book by Ivan Zgersky. Downloaded it from the Internet. I think you can find it in a printed edition too. An informative and fascinating guide from a person who has lived here for almost twenty years to date. Are you planning to go and don't know where to read about the country and cities? I advise it!

In what genre do I write? The genres of my first literary collection were travel notes, stories, and poems. The genres of the second book: drama, a collection of short essays, and a play written in collaboration with a friend. The genre of the third — a prose poem. Well, and now... I consider this work as a whole, and not just a set of notes (posts) collected in one text.

Under the term "blogs" (my author's version, from the word "blog," adopted for convenience, which I like better in sound) is meant an "open diary." According to the Internet dictionary: "blog, (weblog) — a periodically updated feed of messages on various topics, each of which can be commented on by readers; a collective discussion board." Well, AND BLOGS — THEY ARE BLOGS EVEN IN AFRICA! Such a genre.

I set myself the task of writing without pathos, but sincerely. Without embellishment and, if possible, objectively. I am not going to deceive anyone. Everything is honest.

P.S. If after reading you wish to go to Africa, and specifically South Africa, then I would like to wish you good luck and the most wonderful impressions! However, if you see more, or less, than you expected, remember: I have nothing to do with it! One piece of advice: try to leave your expectations at home. Don't think that you will feel life HERE as it is drawn in your imagination. Just go! Look, live. If it's not difficult — try to get the maximum pleasure. And remember: good people are met everywhere. And in some places, wonderful ones are found! And there are not so few of them.