Finishing up the last transect walk in Sera. Meeting a flirting donkey foal, hanging out for a while with the animals and the boys and the men in the shade underneath the animal fodder storage sun shelter. Giving them rice and soap. Shaking everyone’s hand.
Picking up Elli. Arriving in Ouaga, at Chez Tess, where the internet works and the bathrooms are clean and there’s no smell of mold anywhere. Taking a shower, washing my hair, wearing a clean dress. Talking Swedish with Elli. Just airing things, with someone who won’t misinterpret.
It’s like there’s a mountain of weight off my shoulders. I feel like myself again. I don’t desperately want to go back home. I wouldn’t mind it, but the urgency I felt just yesterday is gone.
Eating some Swedish candy, the last of the stash that I bought on the airport when coming here. It had been waiting for us here in the fridge at Chez Tess, and now. Celebration. Now also I am basically done with my fieldwork.
There is definitely more to say about that, but tonight: only relief. And a beer and some Gott & Blandat, on the porch at Chez Tess. And wonderful, amazing Elli.
Katja Malmborg 