Adam Frost

I’ve just had another amazing trip to Cairo (although the traffic hasn’t improved!!); the place is turning into quite an inspiration to me. If I am honest, when I returned from my first trip I wasn’t sure how to approach the design. As I believe garden design is 80% about communication and understanding how people live I try to get under people’s skin and take them on a journey, which isn’t quite so easy considering the cultural differences. Well so I thought, but on this trip I arrived midway through Ramadan and have spent a lot of time with the client’s family, eating and chatting at the end of each day, so I really have got to know them better.

From what I’ve experienced, the Egyptian people are deeply spiritual and kind. Everyone I have met has made this slightly strange Englishman (as they probably see me) feel very at home. This visit was about meeting a new client but also to go into the countryside and find the plant nurseries. And what a joy it was! The abundance of plants was great - a lot more than you would imagine. What also stood out for me was the amazing scent; because of the heat it was so much more prolific. I just can’t wait to get stuck into the planting plans. Thanks again for the kind hospitality to all the people I met.