I was wrong. Expect more blog posts

We’re grounded again. The governmental rental service won’t let us drive today either. I moved my office outside our room today, and I’m sitting in the shadow and light breeze, transcribing my field notes into neat tables on my computer. This place is better than the wi-fi area by the reception, because there is no breeze there. I’m eating the last of my homemade Swedish Christmas toffee to keep my spirits up, completely melted of course but still good.

In the morning, we still thought we would be able to go out to the villages. I had prepared for a whole day of transect walking. But then at seven, the driver called and said that we weren’t allowed to leave the hotel again, mostly due to the rental service not wanting to risk any damage on the car. Apparently, when people are angry at the government here, they attack government registered cars. So consequently, I guess, it’s a safety precaution for the people sitting in the car too, to stay put.

Now though, I’m feeling quite happy we didn’t leave. Since ten, the wind has carried faint shouts and megaphone speeches from town, and there has been sirens too. The protests are not happening anywhere near where we’re living, so here everything is calm, but to get out of here we would have had to go through a major traffic hub, and that’s where some of the noises are coming from.

Tonight, we will know if the proposal to hold a referendum passed in the parliament. If it does, there are more protests to be expected, and we don’t know when we will be able to get out of here. I’m not concerned for my own safety or health, but both Elli and I are starting to worry a little bit about our projects, about time and money. If this situation continues, we will have to make some major adjustments to our fieldworking plans.

Oh, well. Maybe today I will finally have time to wash my hair. I haven’t washed it since we left Sweden. There’s so little water in the showers here, and my hair is so long, and our schedule so tight. I have prioritized sleep before trying to get the shampoo out of my hair. Now, though, there’s plenty of time. Always look on the bright side.