Monday 2 September — Reading and reflection
I spend the day in my room reading and building a bibliography.
Discussion with the guy from the barbecue restaurant about how I could live somewhere other than the hotel when I am in Heihe. He makes a proposal that does not seem allowed for foreigners. Maybe there are grey areas I could slip into so as not to stay isolated in the tourist hostel.
I did not pay for a room with a shower, so I use a basin to wash.
Tuesday 3 September — Back to Russia
Crossing the border from China to Russia. Everything goes well as last time. Many Chinese, so I stay a few minutes in front of the terminal to see how and where they go.
I drop my things at the hostel. I go to the SIM card shop to buy a new one (last week I lost my bank cards and my Russian SIM card).
The new card activates and I am back online via Russian networks, which are more open than the Chinese network.
I meet a friend, and one of his friends, from Vladivostok. We talk about history, and about русский авось.
A few days ago, the Eastern Economic Forum took place in Vladivostok, delaying my friend's return to school. He tells me it is one of the first times he has had a conversation with a foreigner.
Back at the hostel, I meet other workers from the cable car site.
Russia today commemorates the Japanese surrender during the Second World War.
Wednesday 4 September — Library
Site update at the Lenin Library.
Thursday 5 September — Research and encounters
My crypto account was blocked because I logged in from an unauthorised country.
I do some research on "open science". It seems to be becoming a kind of criterion for getting money from institutions like Europe.
In the afternoon, I go to eat at a столовая with a man from the hostel. We manage to talk mostly without a translator because he makes an effort to use simple words, speak slowly, and give me time to look for the words I need. And he knows a few words of English.
I discover ODSAS, a platform where researchers deposit their archives.
Walk in the city in the evening. Heading to the pool entrance to photograph its opening hours.
The guy I went to the столовая with told me he needs to get a group visa to go to China. So he paid more for nothing. I do not know if he chose to do it because it was easier or because he simply cannot get an individual visa for China.
Reflection on a swimming topic, a comparison between Russian and Chinese river swimmers, in a way.
I write to someone I met at the баня during the first trip. He will be there Saturday and Sunday. So will I.
Friday 6 September — News and observations
Press review. Recently, a Chinese man sang on the Russian banks of the river. He made local news on a Telegram channel because he had written on a small sign that he was there to meet Russian friends even though he did not speak Russian.
The father who is in my room invites me to see his office at Europa +, tomorrow.
I discover a few Russian Telegram channels about anthropology (for example, this one).
Exercise on the "bars". I have the cable car right in front of me. But I feel like I am not "seeing" anything of what is happening there. It is a result, a production. But I have no idea who does what to achieve it. This is the main problem I am facing regarding this ethnographic topic.
About eight young men in military uniform enter the neighbouring room. I think about what I could talk to them about, and how.
I go for a walk. I am in front of the construction site, in front of the трибуна холл section. The cable car is part of this whole project.
In a message on Telegram, the governor says that the construction of the cable car is on schedule; they have found ways to deal with the problem that the builder is French (sanctions).
I watched the Chinese swimmers from the Russian banks. I could see them swimming along the river current and take a photo under the flag as I did with them last time.
Nap and Russian grammar.
Saturday 7 September — Europa+ event
Exercise ("bars"). When I return to the hostel, the group of young men in military uniform has left. They got up at six.
A tuning/bass music event is taking place on the square in front of the hostel. The windows are vibrating.
Then I go to the Europa+ studios with the man I share the room with. He shows me around the building, and we talk about cryptocurrencies.
Then we go to the car event co-organised by Europa+. I spend the whole day there taking notes and photos.
Meal in a new столовая with the biker from the hostel. We meet a drunk man there with his young daughter.
Sunday 8 September — Bania and elections
Heading to the bank to withdraw money for the hostel. I am one day late.
Heading to the баня. I swim and enjoy it. I do not ask questions. I see a person of about fifty who probably swims a lot.
In the evening, I meet three friends from БГПУ university. We speak French. We hang out in a park where we run into other friends.
When one of them goes to vote (somewhat ironically), we go with him. Today the local elections are taking place.
We go to eat and talk about relations between men and women, marriage.
