The return of the long-lost blogger

Hello. Remember me? I’m Ellie (that’s Ellie as in elephant without the ‘phant’, not as in Ellen, Erin, Helen or Eileen by the way)*, the long-lost PhD student researching community development in the Niger Delta. You know, the one who kept promising to post lots of insightful and witty musings about life in Nigeria but who, ummm, never quite got round to it. Ring any bells?

Does this help any?




No, didn’t think it would. But it’s a cracking photo, no? Move over Attenborough...

Anyway. I’m pleased to report that I have not – despite appearances to the contrary – been kidnapped by militants nor have I been forced to marry an aged chief or struck down with a hideous tropical disease involving cold sweats and maggot-filled boils [shudder]. Far from it. I’ve just been, well, a bit crap at getting round to writing. Which is a shame as now I’m actually tapping at way, I’m really rather enjoying it. Ho hum.

But I digress.

I did contemplate writing one huge long post about everything I’ve done since I last wrote but decided that the chances were the nepa** would go (hasn’t yet, touch wood, but it’s been on for more than a couple of hours so isn’t likely to last much longer) or I’d bore my readership of 1 (hi mum!) to tears or the lure of Prison Break season 2 (gotta love the Chinese DVD pirates, a-haaar me hearties etc) would prove too strong. So, instead, I’ve resolved to write an amusing anecdote (okay, an anecdote) a day (okay, a couple of week) until the end of the month. I’ve also resolved to (stop) (using) (parentheses) (with) (such) (wanton) (abandon).

Here’s a taster of what’s to come…

“The perils of research in tropical climes” complete with gory photos
“These animals are liable to be dangerous” – zoos, Nigerian-style
“All but essential travel” – an ode to the FCO
“Africa’s answer to Milton Keynes?” – welcome to Abuja
“The anthropologist’s dilemma” – when witchcraft strikes

See? I can tell you’re hooked.


* This, I have discovered, is the best way to introduce myself, much to the amusement of most Nigerians.

**nepa: Electricity. It’s actually an acronym, NEPA - Nigeria Electric Power Authority (aka Never Expect Power Always). Now formally known as the PHCN - Power Holding Company of Nigeria (aka Problem Has Changed Name).