What started as an ordinary day became an adventure. We had just finished brunch and decided to stroll in Millenium Park, the largest public park in Abuja. Since coming to Abuja, I hadn’t been able to wander through a park like I usually did back home. For me, taking walks around a city and discovering trails was how I became acquainted with a place. It was my ritual, and until I performed it, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever properly know Abuja – and if I could ever truly call it my home away from home.
My two friends, who also came to Nigeria to conduct research, continued to march forward while I lagged behind to stop and look at the strange plants beneath my feet. There was one purple fluffy ball of earth that reminded me of the flower in Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears A Who. However, that was nothing compared to what I saw next. After catching up with my friends, I soon stood next to them frozen in awe. Before us lived a lean woody plant, which without further examination, I could have easily mistaken for a tree. I had soon realized this plant was not a tree, it was something different.
