Market Walk: Agave and Little Tee

I haven’t taken a walk in a while, mostly because I have been so busy with work and falling sick. Anyway, I went on quite the walk last week. Technically, I was to post it last week but, brain work here. Plus, I don’t do half-assed (shit) posts. I was tired and sick, better leave it for when I can properly comprehend what I am writing.

First thing, I had just recovered from the needles (got a swollen leg out of it) when Mom made mention of Grape fruit. Not the small ones but those types the size of my head. She wanted the white one - sour. This fruit is non-existent at this place we stay. To get it, I had to go to Station Market - as it is called, right before the Stadium Roundabout.

First, the market isn’t what I used to know. As a child, it used to be boisterous, bustling with people from as early as 6am. Now, with the development and the rising of new buildings (the influx of investors as Kaduna is now the hot cake), it looks dry. The market was moved from what I learned. I got hit with a wave of nostalgia being there. I couldn’t get the grape fruit as it was also non-existent here. The only one available was the red one.

While there, I saw some cinnamon sticks. I had been researching it to purchase some. From what I read there were mostly two types; Cassia and Ceylon. Cassia is the type for manufacture use. Things like incense, perfumes, oils, etc. It is not advised for consumption. Ceylon on the other hand was more consumable friendly. In moderate quantities in lemon/orange peel tea, cinnamon works for the skin especially against fine lines caused by this Northern sun.

I used google lense to check for what type this is and it came out as Cassia. Northern Nigeria is very famous for their production of oil perfumes and colognes. That and their scent sticks. It’s no wonder it would be the most popular here. I couldn’t buy it.

As empty as the land now looks, the buildings look like they are coming on fine. There were a whole lot of watermelons on the ground though. It looked like a market of melons. Also saw some beetroot and remembered the recipe I saw using beetroot for healthier guts. That wasn’t my goal, so I moved on.

On my way back home, I saw something that left me in awe. This plant!

I see this plant almost everywhere here but I never knew that I had not seen it in its maturity. Guess what? I did. And boy, it is majestic!

Just look at that! Such a big stalk shooting up and gorgeously so. Here is what I got from using Google lens:

The plant in the image is an Agave, commonly known as a Century Plant or Maguey.

There are approximately 300 species of Agave, native to arid regions of the Americas, particularly Mexico and the southwestern United States.

Agaves are famous for their tall, impressive flower stalks, which can take several years or even decades to emerge.

Now, this is impressive. Lord knows how many of these I have seen in my lifetime and yet, I have never seen it get to that stage. A small miracle indeed.

Moving forward, I found some friends resting in a tree. The Cockle Bunch. My name for them. They have to be the weirdest kind of chickens I have met. Either they are on the trees or the fence, and they fly - a lot! Well, as far as any chicken can fly.

I also saw Smiling Dog and Hyena Face on my way home. Yes, my name for them. Can you tell which of them is the smiling dog? He is literally smiling at the picture. I suspect him to be a Corgi breed but I may be wrong. He has a perpetual smile on his face, without meaning to I think. Hyena Face is just like his name. His snout reminds me of a Hyena. They are both scaredy pants. I do give them some treats as I pass by which is why they happen to be following me - ha! Looking for treats!

Guess what else I saw? This guy!

I couldn't get its face but I first thought it was a panda from where I was standing until I got closer to see the side profile better. Just chilling on the roof.

And I saw Little Tee. I knew him as a kitten. Do you remember the little kitten that winked at me? This is him now. All grown up and mischievous. Look at his little paws, so cute. An orange cat he is and behaves as one. Always cuddly and in the mood to play. I give him treats too. For some reason, he loves beans. Whatever is made of beans, he likes a lot.

Before I entered the house, I stopped for some Shawarma. It had been so long. I have only one brand I eat; Stingo’s. Their shawarma is just right, especially in the level of spice and amount of mayonnaise. I always take their Double Sausage/Double Chicken combo. I love meat.

Then I got home and rested after taking the last of my meds. It was quite a lovely day. Today is lovely too. I have some pictures from this morning sitting, waiting for their use. I took my sister for tests as she’s exhibiting symptoms of Typhoid fever. I hope to get her treated as soon as possible.

Until next time, remember you are loved.

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ALL IMAGES ARE MINE