Married to a Bedouin (2006)

by Marguerite van Geldermalsen

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'"Where you staying?" the Bedouin asked. "Why you not stay with me tonight - in my cave?"' Thus begins Marguerite van Geldermalsen's story of how a New Zealand-born nurse came to be married to Mohammad Abdallah Othman, a Bedouin souvenir-seller from the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. It was 1978 and she and a friend were travelling through the Middle East when Marguerite met the charismatic Mohammad who convinced her that he was the man for her. A life with Mohammad meant moving into his ancient cave and learning to love the regular tasks of baking shrak bread on an open fire and collecting water from the spring. And as Marguerite feels herself becoming part of the Bedouin community, she is thankful for the twist in fate that has led her to this contented life. Marguerite's light-hearted and guileless observations of the people she comes to love are as heart-warming as they are valuable, charting Bedouin traditions now lost to the modern world.… (more)

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Cheerful tale of a New Zealand backpacker who meets and maries a Jordanian Bedouin. (

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starbox | Mar 25, 2023 |

A fascinating account of a New Zealand woman meeting and marrying a Bedoin man who lived in Petra in Jordan. The book is about their family, their life and the lives of those around them. I learnt so much from this book and found it interesting. I now know about farrsha, thick mattresses that are piled up during the day and how caves and tents are organised by Bedoin. (

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CarolKub | Feb 15, 2022 |

life is full of wonder, surprise, challenges and love. (

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Amotisse | May 21, 2014 |

Jordan.

Van Geldermalsen's memoir of meeting a Jordanian Bedouin when she was traveling in her early 20's, marrying him, having children with him, and their life in a cave in Petra. He sold souvenirs; she became a medical assistant.

A matter-of-fact recollection told in a straightforward manner, without a great deal of emotional depth. Still, it's very interesting for its details of daily life as a young New Zealander adapting to living in a very different culture. (

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OshoOsho | Mar 30, 2013 |

Although I enjoyed this book I came away feeling a little unsatisfied. The author says herself towards the end that the story she has given us is not the complete one - it is the rose-tinted version. Perhaps though I just wanted it to be another book, one with more background history and social commentary. (

)

janglen | Oct 8, 2011 |

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Canonical title

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Original publication date

2006

People/Characters

Important places

Petra, Jordan

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Epigraph

Dedication

For Salwa, Raami and Maruan

in memory of Mohammad

First words

'Where you staying?' the Bedouin asked.

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Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

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'"Where you staying?" the Bedouin asked. "Why you not stay with me tonight - in my cave?"' Thus begins Marguerite van Geldermalsen's story of how a New Zealand-born nurse came to be married to Mohammad Abdallah Othman, a Bedouin souvenir-seller from the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. It was 1978 and she and a friend were travelling through the Middle East when Marguerite met the charismatic Mohammad who convinced her that he was the man for her. A life with Mohammad meant moving into his ancient cave and learning to love the regular tasks of baking shrak bread on an open fire and collecting water from the spring. And as Marguerite feels herself becoming part of the Bedouin community, she is thankful for the twist in fate that has led her to this contented life. Marguerite's light-hearted and guileless observations of the people she comes to love are as heart-warming as they are valuable, charting Bedouin traditions now lost to the modern world.

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