Getting situated

(June 21 & 22, 2016)

The voyage was interesting and long. It probably took about 30 hours to go from the West Coast to the capital city of Burkina Faso. During the flights I met a Burkinabè who lives in Eugene and it turns out we have mutual acquaintances. I sat next to a whip smart Swedish woman and another Burkinabeè who absolutely loves living in the Bronx. He is confusingly rather republican, despite being Muslim.

After the series of flights, I arrived safely in Ouagadougou (Waga, from here on out, because vowels). My arrival was slightly more eventful than I anticipated. For a while, it seemed that my suitcase with all my research and my work computer were lost. Eventually it was found, but poor Zaky (the assistant/chauffeur for members of our project here) waited for me outside without any means to contact me for quite some time.

Somehow Waga always manages to be hotter and windier than I remember, every time I go there. We arrived at our hotel and after a brief rest and a shower we went to grab a drink and something to eat. I had not slept the entire flight, but apparently that did not stop me. It was fun to drink and catch up with Zaky (I tried my best to keep pace with him, but that was futile effort). I also can apparently still eat a whole chicken: I guess I was hungry. Upon returning to the hotel, I fell asleep almost immediately.

The next day (June 23, 2016) was fun and exhausting. I essentially took care of everything in one day (I do not recommend this). I met a couple Zaky's younger brothers and they helped me find a good phone (and one for my primary Viemõ speaker, in order to better communicate while we are separated). My new Bronx republican Burkinabè happened to be buying a phone at the same time I was at a kiosk across the street. Waga is huge but… lucky me.

After that, we had another round of chicken and beers. I guess that's our thing. At some point I presume that I will eat vegetables and fruit again. I got money exchanged and met with head of sociolinguistic research in Waga. He gave me a contact who seems to be willing to assist with sociolinguistic interviews with folks who do not speak French (still my contact language).

I also learned that there has been some unrest with the appointment of a new Mayor in Karangasso-Vigue (henceforth, KV). There are some ethnic tensions that have flared up between the Vigue and the Mossi. Bakary has since told me that everything has calmed down and there are security personnel there.

On the 24^th of June we travelled to Bobo Dioulasso. The bus ride took a while because they are cracking down on unregistered vehicles, so we stopped at a number of checkpoints. The countryside became greener as we moved south toward Bobo. Rocks and dusty fields became towns and brush until the familiar greenery surrounding my home away from home greeted us on the outskirts of Bobo. It rained a lot and it was a refreshing change from the blow-dryer in my face (a.k.a. Waga). It is always a little greener and cooler in Bobo.

I am in a different house this time. Jeff and Zaky found a better arrangement. It is in almost the same neighborhood and the layout is similar. The furniture is newer and the place costs less. I couldn't happier with that situation. I am still getting everything in order, but I hope to be able to do real work soon (probably Monday).

Today, the 25^th, my time was spent was mostly just taking care of buying various things I need and fully moving in. Bakary and Valentine showed up today and it was very nice to catch up with them. The house was a lot less empty today and that was nice. Everyone seemed happy and grateful that I will be here this summer and Kate will follow in September. The collective excited energy of the team being back together was infectious. I plan to visit KV next week after I have had a chance to get a good workflow going again and arrange things with the person who is supposed to assist with sociolinguistic interviews in Jula.

As of the time I am writing this, I have just about finished, minus a few odds and ends. I don't have internet access yet, but I walked to a nearby hotel and paid to use their wifi so that I could update this blog. You all collectively owe me four bucks.