Fresh fruit and lunch in one of Kabul's 'hidden gardens'

A few weeks ago I spent a quiet afternoon in the lovely garden belonging to a friend of some of the students at the school where I volunteer. To thank her for inviting us as well as for all the help she's given them in the past, the girls decided to cook lunch for her. 

I can't cook, but these girls certainly can. So I stayed out of the way and photographed them instead, and then took a walk around the garden.

Most homes in Afghanistan are surrounded by a high wall with a gate for entrance in order to protect the modesty of the women of the family. Inside these walls are the home and nearly always a garden bursting with fruit and flowers.  It provides an outside space for the women, and also a source for fresh fruit. After all, it doesn't get much fresher than just plucked off a tree a few steps from the door!

 The kitchen window looks out onto a trellis heavily laden with grapes, and beyond that a flower, herb, and fruit garden.

 One of the best parts of Kabul is all the different kinds of mouth-wateringly delicious fruits that grow in these backyard gardens. These are apples, but also common are apricots, grapes, blackberries, peaches, and many others.

 

 The yummy finished product - our meal was just as delicious as it looks!