A little flea called St. Aying

I have to confess to an idea, a little flea somebody put into my ear already quite a while ago and that's now established a family that's slowly working its way right through my brain. The flea's called: St. Aying. - Sure, the originator of this little insect is currently not really relevant in any plans I'm making but this little monster has nevertheless developed a live of its own. Or rather, some environmental factors have encouraged the flea to start his little family that is now effecting my plans for next year:

For a number of reasons, some due to my own originally wrong approach, some to certain deplorable character traits of mine, others to time wasted on, lets call it: administrative issues (I already lost over two months earlier this year, another two weeks this month and will probably have to spend some more time on it later next month), I'm not really satisfied with the progress I have made with my research, the reason for which I originally came. And now it looks like there might be an opportunity to get a job here and, hence, extend my stay for another year or so while accomodation is provided and I earn a living wage.

I haven't yet really made up my mind and would be very grateful for any comments, hints and feedback ... I'm not yet hundred percent sure about the implications regarding my grant and the regulations of the school. After all, I was hoping to use this time to finish and write up my PhD while still in the field, while being able to rather easily contact my informants to clarify any questions I might be having. Hence, I will have to undertake a little bit of research before I take any final decision but ... well, I got a tentatively positive feedback from my supervisor just today and feel quite encouraged by that. So, yeah, really interested in further feedback and opinions ... you can leave comments on this side and you have my email, I assume, so pls. help me make up my mind and take the right decision!!!

Guys, its finally getting hot here, hot by Nigerian terms this is, I mean, don’t try to tell me anything below 30 is hot – its not, this here is hot. I mean, even stubborn me is now seriously thinking about giving up on her jeans (though they’re so practical getting on and off the achabas) and considering to leave the fan on overnight – just in case NEPA discovers it has a heart and some pity with a suffering baturiya and sends light. I guess, I hope, the heat means that finally, finally the rains are also reaching Kano. After the first couple of thunderstorms in Maiduguri I was actually deeply disappointed to come and find that Kano, which supposedly has the milder climate, actually has hardly seen any rain yet. Yesterday it rained … somewhere, all we got were some excited winds, some lightning and the occasional thunder. That’s like holding a piece of chocolate right under the nose of a chocoholic on diet!!!

Apart from the heat and a tiny little accident with an achaba (too much traffic, the driver too impatient and my foot too fat to fit through the needle-hole he wanted to get through … or rather, one toe to many and now the little one’s a bit … well, I really don’t want to let the art historian hang out by analysing the different shades of blue, red, green and yellow!) I’m actually still enjoying Kano. In fact, looks like Samir (of the barber shop right around the corner of the camp) is tomorrow going to show me where to go swimming in Kano. If I’m not already brain-dead by then, that is. I’m meeting with Ibrahim in the early eve, will go for some nice food with later, 11pm I’m invited for clubbing (yeah, I’m curious as well) and tomorrow at 8:30 (latest) I’m meeting Eunice and her friend for church. So, I might as well fall asleep at the pool … let’s just hope their life guards are attentive enough to safe me in time.