Katja

where the action is (and where it isn’t)

The afternoon is uncommonly calm here. I can barely even hear any cars, only the sound of small birds and the odd scream of a donkey. There is no TV and no radio. I think everyone is waiting for an announcement. This is what has happened: The parliament was supposed to hold the vote onContinue reading “where the action is (and where it isn’t)”

hanging on by a tiny little thread (October 29)

There is a certain kind of madness that comes with immobility and uncertainty. The knowledge that I really need and want to move, to get out, to work – but I can’t, because the license plate on our car is red. I have plenty to do, articles to read and whatnot, but it’s like something’s crawlingContinue reading “hanging on by a tiny little thread (October 29)”

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 noContinue reading “I was wrong. Expect more blog posts”

the last piece of Marabou

Elli and I shared the last piece of the Marabou chocolate Vivi gave me at my Christmas-Goodbye party. It had melted and been frozen again a couple of times, but it still tasted amazing. It’s strange, I rarely eat Marabou when I’m home, but abroad. Marabou is like a little piece of Sweden. Today, weContinue reading “the last piece of Marabou”

a morning writing session (October 28)

I’m sitting outside our room, in the shade, on a rock, while Elli and Desiré are still sleeping inside. Just now, moments ago, when I opened my laptop, I found a dead mosquito cushed against the edge of the screen. I must have unknowingly killed it when I used my computer last. I can’t rememberContinue reading “a morning writing session (October 28)”

the best part of the day (October 27)

The best part of the day here, is coming back to the room after a day of fieldwork, and stepping into the shower. Washing the sweat off my body, letting the cool water stop my blood from boiling. Today, I noticed that I had burned my arms a little bit. Or, I’m not completely sure.Continue reading “the best part of the day (October 27)”

after work in Ouahigouya (October 27)

Because of the nation-wide manifestations tomorrow, and therefore us being grounded the whole day) we decided to go for a beer together with Desiré and Theo after I finished my first day of transect-walking, to celebrate this (almost) first week of field work. We ended up by a plastic table with a mended leg, standingContinue reading “after work in Ouahigouya (October 27)”

the map-crazy redneck (October 27)

When Elli took this picture, she said: ”You look like such a redneck in that hat”. And now, after a couple of days of walking around with my GPS and notebook in the Sahelian sun, I’m really starting to get a red neck.

village customs (October 27)

After walking my first transect with the CVD and another man in a village called Filly, we all sat down under a tree and rested for a bit. I tried to make some last notes about what I had seen (land degradation due to a new road redirecting waterflows during the rainy season, man-dug fishContinue reading “village customs (October 27)”

the political situation in Burkina Faso (October 26)

There has been some confusion about the subject on my part, but now I’ve managed to get everything straight. The situation is this: Burkina Faso has a president, Compaoré, who has been in power ever since a military coup in 1987. In 2000, after some heavy protests, it was decided that the constitution should beContinue reading “the political situation in Burkina Faso (October 26)”