Katja

a soft start (October 23)

We were taken on a guided tour through Reko today with Madi, as an introduction to the landscape where we will be spending the coming seven weeks. It was hot, trying to handle tablet with maps in, GPS and camera at the same time was impossible, and there was so much variety in the landscape. IContinue reading “a soft start (October 23)”

the journey to Ouahigouya (October 22)

We all packed ourselves into the pickup truck together with the backpacks and shovels and infiltriometers and kitchen equipment and started the journey northward. Elli and I, the translator Desiré, a soil science PhD student, Maurice, who was coming to help Elli get started, and the driver of course. What felt like half the dayContinue reading “the journey to Ouahigouya (October 22)”

at the experimental fields of Saria (October 20)

The first real day of fieldwork was spent going to Saria, an agricultural research station that INERA, our local partner and a governmental research institute, has run since the 1920s. We went there to pick up the toys that Elli will need for her sampling and measuring and weighing – basically when she plays withContinue reading “at the experimental fields of Saria (October 20)”

update

The very old president might be able to sit for another five years after a proposal was passed in the parliament on Monday, and the opposition is encouraging civil disobedience. But Elli and I have left Ouaga and here in the country, things are calm. I need to sleep much more than usual, though. Interesting,Continue reading “update”

sub-tropical tiredness

It is weird, how life this close to the equator turns away from the modern age. The body adjusts to the sun. It has happened to me before, and it is happening now: the sun goes down around six. By seven, it’s pitch black. There are no street lights anywhere. Few houses have lamps strongContinue reading “sub-tropical tiredness”

leisurely Sunday

Today, we haven’t done much. I’ve written and edited photographs, and Elli has read. I think it was good, at least I needed it. To get a grip, and leave Sweden behind. Tomorrow, the real work begins. There is a house cat at Chez Tess. Sometimes very cuddly, while at others it doesn’t care oneContinue reading “leisurely Sunday”

introducing: because Katja said so

Jessica, and many others, have told me I should start selling my handicraft on the internet. Well, I just can’t do that. I put too much of myself in the mittens and the hats that I knit, and selling them would be like selling a piece of myself. I don’t want to do that. WhatContinue reading “introducing: because Katja said so”

first days in Burkina

Line, my supervisor, was only able to stay in Ouaga for a couple of days, so there was no time for us to land before we started going to meetings with collaborating researchers and translators. They were intense, those first days, and I was exhausted most of the time, from the heat and my brainContinue reading “first days in Burkina”

on our street in Ouaga

We’re staying in an area of Ouagadougou called Zogona, where chickens and goats run on the streets and children are playing with old tires. There are two big, paved main streets running through it, but all side streets are dry mud and potholes. It has this mix of quite fancy homes with high walls aroundContinue reading “on our street in Ouaga”

Chez Tess

We’re staying at a guesthouse called Chez Tess, run by a Swedish expat. It is furnished in a wonderfully eclectic style, with West African fabrics and art on the walls. The streets might be chaotic outside, with motorcycles rushing past and children, chickens and goats running all over the place, but as soon as youContinue reading “Chez Tess”