Monday 9 September — Observing the construction site
Observing the cable car from the "bars". No worker on the pylon. Strong wind.
Election results: the president's party is re-elected almost everywhere.
Tuesday 10 September — Bodies and techniques
"Bars". A Chinese man hits his back against a tree. A kind of sports/health thing, I suppose. He was hanging from one of the bars earlier. It is interesting to see how Chinese people use "street sport" equipment compared to Russians. On the other side of the river, in China, their equipment is different; they have kinds of wheels and chains. I suppose Chinese bodies do not train in the same way as Russian bodies, so the urban equipment reflects that. Reflection on Mauss - 1934.
I think swimming would be a good subject for comparison. I can do it in China and in Russia, in (almost) the same river. Sporting links. I cannot speak, but I can swim. It would be a side quest for my thesis. I can meet people and take part in groups.
No worker on the cable car pylon. Windy day.
Reflection on the issues of swimming, and writing.
A Chinese man communicates by signs what he wants to eat at the Uzbek restaurant. I am in exactly the same situation in China because, like him, I do not know a word of the country I am in (shame).
Heading to the library. A choir is rehearsing, and there is an exhibition in the hall. Reflection on how I could submit a questionnaire to people (Soutrenon-2005).
Reading Великий амурский заплыв (The Great Amur Crossing), an important book on the history of the Russian cold-water swimming club. I discovered it by chance at the kiosk of the Lenin Library.
Browsing a history book about the Russian president.
Browsing the website of the International Ice Swimming Association. "The IISA's vision is to become a winter Olympic sport," says the home page.
In January 2025, an international ice swimming competition will take place in Italy.
I meet two young friends of Arka. They are in Blago for this year's edition of Турен.
Wednesday 11 September — Data processing
I digitise the book about ice swimming with my phone (by taking photos of each page). Then I extract the text, and convert it into French using online software. I can now read it. When I come across terms that seem important, I refer to the text to see the words in context and understand them better (context and semantics).
Writing a few paragraphs about swimming and how it could be relevant to study.
After eating at the столовая, I digress by watching this guy's interview, which leaves me doubtful.
Browsing Abélès - 2017.
I have a conversation with a man in the library hall. I can have (very) simple conversations in Russian now, I suppose.
Thursday 12 September — Walk
Walk in the city.
Friday 13 September — Encounters and readings
Ran into a friend at the library. Questioning.
I read about the controversies around the film Russians at War by Anastasia Trofimova.
There is a book sale event on Lenin Square. There is a small translation of Geertz's Balinese cockfight.
Reading news written/compiled by AI.
Browsing Tolstoy - 1885.
Calling a Chinese friend to catch up and have a drink at the pub with a Russian friend. Then I go to another friend's concert and meet his friends. We speak Anglo-Russian.
Saturday 14 September — Military convoy
Today, I see a convoy of large cars with Russian flags, Wagner flags, and a variety of other flags linked to the war. The flags are on the roofs of the cars. They make noise. I do not know what is special today.
Watching the film War and Peace.
Walk with a friend in clothing shops.
Sunday 15 September — Bania and friendship
I am starting to feel sick, like the other guys in my room at the hostel.
Heading to the баня. I do not talk much. I am invited to share fish to eat (delicious). I recognise people from the book.
The Russian World Friendship Games are postponed to 2025.
