I call some exchange offices in paris to grab rubles and yuans. I call a well rated one on Google. The guy tells me that there is embargo on rubles... But Maybe I can find some in smaller officies. I found rubles around Saint-Michel, and Yuans around Gare du Nord.
Plane to Shanghai, China (transit).
Plane ton Harbin, China. Placed in last row of both planes. "Smoking onboard is fobiden, including in secret". I receive the e-visa confirmation for Russia when I land.
My french SIM card works (Free Mobile), I can access Google. No restrictions.
Someone going to the same hotel as me invite me in her taxi, after I asked for help. Most apps used in China are in chinese or partly translated in english.
Hotel Aoluguya, for the CEADs event. I pay for 11 nights. After my stay, my bank accound is debited of 352,96 euros. Everything is luxurious. Feels like I'm in a bubble. I meet my roomate BC, a black American.
I'll speak english everyday.
I discover WeChat payments, its possibilities and restrictions.
I am invited to eat at a restaurant by friends from the CEADs WeChat group. I'm with BC.
I'm wearing the shirt designed for the CEADs summer school event. Everybody (around 180 people) is wearing it. We're all in a big reception room.
I am asked to do a filmed interview. I accept.
I meet L, from EHESS. He's french and graduates the same school as I did.
Group picture :
Presentation of the new Nexus journal.
I learn about CNC.
Work groups are formed. I'm part of one of the two "international" groups. We elect a group leader.
Buying SIM card with the help of Marianne, an american that speaks chinese, and lived in Harbin during her teenage years.
Day starts with a presentation about climate change.
The first step of the work we're asked to do is presented by our supervisor. We have to update data from different countries websites, where they publish papers about their yearly energy consumption and production.
Asked for an other interview. I accept. The journalist speaks perfect french.
Around the group table, my 6 "collegues" speaks chinese.
Copy/pasting numbers in excel boards.
Our supervisor talks with Marianne. Marianne has a practical question. In her answer, the supervisor says that it's "not result driven" and that we should "tell a good story".
We go eat a "hot pot" with the international group at the end of the day. Guys and girls sits at different tables.
Tim Broyd, from UCL University does a presentation about sustainable construction techniques.
The group go to eat. I ask if we like the work we do without realising that one of the supervisor is at the table. Mistake.
I can't find recent data about Nicaragua. But I see the rest of the group move forward with their work. Frustrating.
We go to restaurant with some members of the group. Waiters and Waitress dances. We, the foreigners, are filmed, like a curiosity. Food is great. A group of guys invite us to drink, BC and I do so, and they come back offering us a whole pack of Harbin beers. It's time to leave.
Going to a "russian" bar in Harbin.
Another presentation to start the day.
Some summer school work done.
All the student go watch an ice show, in some kind of amusement park.
Going to the nearby mall with most members of the international group. Sweet milk drink and arcade room.