Tuesday 1 October — Crossing to Russia
Back to Russia today.
On the way to customs, the Chinese taxi adds a small two-yuan tip after almost hitting another car. At customs, a woman asks for help carrying her luggage. She and her friends are heavily loaded with many goods. They ask me if I can take them as if they were mine so that they don't have to pay a loading tax or something like that. I agree, and paranoia takes over: what if it's not a grill or baby clothes in those packages?
Crossing Chinese customs. I buy a boat ticket with WeChat. Good to know it's possible this way.
I help these women load their luggage onto the boat.
I also help unload. I need a migration card at customs, like last time. I am the last person. While I fill in the card, I recognise the border guard; we greet each other.
I continue through. The usual questions.
A woman approaches me to collect the luggage I brought through. She drives me back to my hostel in return.
Arrival at the hostel. Payment for my stay, dropping off my bags, and heading to the library.
There is an exhibition of family portraits of soldiers in the hall.
Browsing the INACC website.
Wednesday 2 October — Franco-Russian business
Reading a very interesting press article about Franco-Russian business during the sanctions.
The sanctions concerning cable cars are listed here.
Digression: I am surprised by the number of people with the name Gressot who lived and died.
Thursday 3 October — Microfiches
Translation of the book about swimmers. A small orchestra is playing in the "performance hall" this morning.
Later, an old man comes and does research. To find his book, he uses the library's microfiche system. I had never done that before. 99% of the bibliographic research I do is by computer.
Friday 4 October — Swimming competition
Money transfer with Russian friends.
There is another event with round tables and elderly people in the library's "performance hall".
The Chinese group I swim with is coming to Blagoveshchensk today.
While I translate the book, I come across a press article announcing a swimming competition that will take place tomorrow, organised by the cold-water swimming club I go to. I sign up. It is a Russian-Chinese competition promoting friendship between the two countries.
In the afternoon, an exhibition is set up in the library, and a presentation takes place. It promotes family values (Год семьи). The colour palette reminds me of the Manif pour tous in France.
Saturday 5 October — Зейская миля competition
I take part in the International swim "Зейская миля-2024". A local press article is shared.
The Chinese group taking part in the competition is the group of retired swimmers I hang out with in Heihe.
Sunday 6 October — Film club
Looking for winter jackets and shoes.
Heading to the language film club with friends. The French film Babysitting is screened with Russian subtitles.
