Monday 22 July — Preparations
I call several currency exchange offices in Paris to get roubles and yuan. I contact a well-rated establishment on Google. The person I speak to tells me there is an embargo on roubles... But it might be possible to find some in smaller exchange offices. I find roubles near Saint-Michel, and yuan near Gare du Nord.
Tuesday 23 July — On the way
Flight to Shanghai, China (transit).
Wednesday 24 July — Arrival in Harbin
Flight to Harbin, China. Placed at the back of both planes. "Smoking on board is prohibited, including in secret." I receive confirmation of the e-visa for Russia on landing.
My French SIM card works (Free Mobile), I have access to Google. No restrictions.
Someone going to the same hotel as me invites me into his taxi, after I asked for help. Most applications used in China are in Chinese or partially translated into English.
Hotel Aoluguya, for the CEADs event. I pay for 11 nights. After my stay, my bank account is debited 352.96 euros. Everything is luxurious. I feel like I am in a bubble. I meet my roommate BC, a Black American.
I will speak English every day.
I discover WeChat payments, their possibilities and their restrictions.
I am invited to dinner in a restaurant by friends from the CEADs WeChat group. I am with BC.
Thursday 25 July — First day of CEADs
I wear the T-shirt designed for the CEADs summer school event. Everyone (about 180 people) wears it. We are all in a large reception room.
I am asked to do a filmed interview. I agree.
I meet L, from EHESS. He is French and graduated from the same school as me.
Presentation of the new journal Nexus.
I discover the CNC.
Working groups are formed. I am part of one of the two "international" groups. We elect a group leader.
Purchase of a SIM card with the help of Marianne, an American who speaks Chinese and who lived in Harbin during her adolescence.
Friday 26 July — Group work
The day begins with a presentation on climate change.
The first step of the work we are asked to do is presented by our supervisor. We have to update the data of different national websites where annual reports on their energy consumption and production are published.
I am asked for another interview. I agree. The journalist speaks perfect French.
Around the group table, my 6 "colleagues" speak Chinese.
Copy-pasting numbers into Excel spreadsheets.
Our supervisor talks with Marianne. Marianne has a practical question. In his answer, the supervisor says that it is not "results-oriented" and that we should "tell a good story".
We go to eat a "hot pot" with the international group at the end of the day. The boys and girls are seated at different tables.
Saturday 27 July — Presentation and frustrations
Tim Broyd, from University College London, gives a presentation on sustainable construction techniques.
The group goes to eat. I ask whether we like the work we are doing without realising that one of the supervisors is at the table. Mistake.
I cannot find recent data on Nicaragua. But I see the rest of the group moving forward with their work. Frustrating.
We go to the restaurant with a few members of the group. The waiters and waitresses dance. We, the foreigners, are filmed, like a curiosity. The food is excellent. A group of guys invites us to drink, BC and I agree, and they come back offering us a whole pack of Harbin beers. Time to leave.
Heading to a "Russian" bar in Harbin.
Sunday 28 July — Last day
Another presentation to start the day.
Work for the summer school is done.
All the students are going to attend an ice show, in a kind of amusement park.
Heading to the neighbouring shopping centre with most of the members of the international group. Sweet milk drink and arcade room.