OMG, I’m “In the Field”

So this “studying-up” thing in D.C. is funny. I find myself sitting rather wide-eyed in some extraordinarily elegant sky-rise government building or multi-floor NGO headquarters. And then I realize, Good Lord, I need to be taking field notes! Not just shoving polished project reports (artfully on display!) in my bag. Not just furiously scribbling my “informant’s” every word.

Quick, note the construction of space (marble entryway, security-locked door or x-ray screening, gleaming hardwood floors in various hues, glossy enlarged photos of Latin American and Caribbean Program Officers peering over the shoulders of grant recipients…). Quick, note the natives’ dress (on the women, black pantsuits with funky, filmy blouses –and muted-gold knit tops seem to be in fashion this year…)...

And by the way, my field notes? Illegible. Seriously. I have to go sit on the curb after each interview and try to decipher my own handwriting before my memory gets too foggy. I have “re-writing field notes” sunburn. Soon to be matched by 14,000-feet-above-sea-level sunburn. Hooray!

-- Susanita

The scattering begins...

By now, James and Caitlin have pitched their tents in the jungle and are settling in. I don't expect that we'll hear from them for another month -- not until they have access to electricity/internet once again. In anticipation of the impending departures of the rest of our crew, I thought I'd post a few photos from our last pre-field evening together (courtesy of Sohini's camera).





I miss you people already.