So today I met Marguerite van Geldermalsen. She's an unasuming and quiet woman, thin, with a wise and weathered face. I didn't recognize her at first because the photos in her book are about 20 years old. I had the privelage of sitting next to her at lunch before she gave us an informal talk about her book and the experiences that brought her to finally writing this memoir.
In a nutshell, it is the tale of how a young twenty-something woman from New Zealand found herslef married to a Bedouin. Are you shocked yet? You should be.
What made my meeting her even more extraordinary was the connection I was able to make with her. I don't think I can find the words to properly express the nature of my mind when I travel. But she knew...she knew exactly....and I understood her equally as well. Someone at my table asked her a question about one of her many adventures. Rather than some long winded reply she gave a little shrug of the shoulders and made a small noise as her eyebrows lifted in a smile. It was priceless.
an excerpt from her book:
" Taking the chance often was [infinetly more interesting]. It didn't even occur to me to nervous on this occassion. I suppose we were two and he was small but I don't think that even crossed my mind. We were looking for adventure and we were finding it."
If you're curious to learn more: www.marriedtoabedouin.com
Ladycroft's Journal
My Podcast Link
09/05/2007 17:21 #40951
she married a bedouin!Category: potpourri
09/04/2007 19:03 #40935
in this momentCategory: potpourri
Things that would make me super happy right now:
1. Two or three TV channels in English.
2. 9 consecutive hours of sleep.
3. A nice cold Dr. Pepper.
4. A piano.
5. An attractive (to me) man sitting on my sofa rubbing my knees as they drape across his lap.
6. That same man then massaging my scalp.
7. Getting my teeth cleaned.
8. Being acknowledged.
9. Plants in my apartment.
10. Holding my nephews.
11. A hug from a friend.
1. Two or three TV channels in English.
2. 9 consecutive hours of sleep.
3. A nice cold Dr. Pepper.
4. A piano.
5. An attractive (to me) man sitting on my sofa rubbing my knees as they drape across his lap.
6. That same man then massaging my scalp.
7. Getting my teeth cleaned.
8. Being acknowledged.
9. Plants in my apartment.
10. Holding my nephews.
11. A hug from a friend.
09/01/2007 04:13 #40872
lost braincellsCategory: potpourri
I've been sick for 2 days now. Nothing momentuous, just a standard cold. Well, I think I actually had a mild fever yesterday too. Anyway, it's nothing to really keep me out of work. So I drag my ass out of bed this morning, get dressed, put everything I need in my bag for the day, pack up my computer, get in the car (I usually walk over but I thought I had a massage today so I was going to leave right from my office). As I pull up I realize the parking lot is quite empty. It's 10am so it should be overflowing. Hmmmm. Right, THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S SATURDAY YOU FOOL!!!!
Yah, I thought it was Sunday already. Maybe I was excited to be off duty. Maybe the fever burned a few more brain cells than I could spare. Anyway, back home now, on the sofa, curled up in a blanket. I'll still do some work since I'm awake right now. The sofa's not a bad place to do light work.
On a completely different note, I just want to tell you all how much I really love the Blue October album Foiled. I like that the songs are so different from each other. The lyrics express these great emotions and I just REALLY get them. I like that feeling.
Yah, I thought it was Sunday already. Maybe I was excited to be off duty. Maybe the fever burned a few more brain cells than I could spare. Anyway, back home now, on the sofa, curled up in a blanket. I'll still do some work since I'm awake right now. The sofa's not a bad place to do light work.
On a completely different note, I just want to tell you all how much I really love the Blue October album Foiled. I like that the songs are so different from each other. The lyrics express these great emotions and I just REALLY get them. I like that feeling.
08/31/2007 14:48 #40860
would you like perfume with your meal?Category: about doha
Last weekend I was invited to lunch by a Qatari colleague of mine. She and her family offered us a traditional lunch, which is served family style on the floor. It was such a great experience to go into their home and share this with them.
Here we are preparing to dig in!
The food was delicious. That orange looking thing in the right corner is actually the burned rice from the bottom of the pot. Apparently it is rude to not serve every bit of what was prepared in the kitchen.
Dessert was a type of cheesecake served with Qatari coffee. It looks like tea, tasted like bland green tea, but having the two together balanced each other well.
After that we were served actual tea. You can get fancy sugar cubes here. Different colours or even some with other flavors mixed in, like mint or cinnammon.
Once we finished with the meal they brought in an "aoud". It's a special type of incense. It is used to cleanse you after the meal. It smells nice but burned my eyeballs.
After we are cleansed, it's time for perfume! Yah. It's something you can't miss when you're walking around an Arab country, they looooove their perfume.
Here we are preparing to dig in!
The food was delicious. That orange looking thing in the right corner is actually the burned rice from the bottom of the pot. Apparently it is rude to not serve every bit of what was prepared in the kitchen.
Dessert was a type of cheesecake served with Qatari coffee. It looks like tea, tasted like bland green tea, but having the two together balanced each other well.
After that we were served actual tea. You can get fancy sugar cubes here. Different colours or even some with other flavors mixed in, like mint or cinnammon.
Once we finished with the meal they brought in an "aoud". It's a special type of incense. It is used to cleanse you after the meal. It smells nice but burned my eyeballs.
After we are cleansed, it's time for perfume! Yah. It's something you can't miss when you're walking around an Arab country, they looooove their perfume.
tinypliny - 08/31/07 23:11
Attar is no ordinary perfume! It is extracted from the pure oil of flowers. So ladycroft, this is probably the best non-synthetic perfume you can get anywhere in the world. The French didn't unlock the world of perfumes, the arabs did. Leetee, you definitely need to try an Attar, before you renounce perfumes. Since it doesn't have any proteinaceous, or even remotely chemical compound, allergies are very very rare. They are the best perfumes in the world!
Attar is no ordinary perfume! It is extracted from the pure oil of flowers. So ladycroft, this is probably the best non-synthetic perfume you can get anywhere in the world. The French didn't unlock the world of perfumes, the arabs did. Leetee, you definitely need to try an Attar, before you renounce perfumes. Since it doesn't have any proteinaceous, or even remotely chemical compound, allergies are very very rare. They are the best perfumes in the world!
leetee - 08/31/07 20:45
sounds like a cool meal. isn't there a dish that is made with the rice actually burnt on the bottom on purpose so it can be scrapped up to go with the rest of the rice? maybe it's not the same cuisine, but i think there is a dish that is made that way.
yeah, the perfume would get to me. i'm with (e:Libertad) on this one... i would need to have extra allergy pills with me 24/7!
sounds like a cool meal. isn't there a dish that is made with the rice actually burnt on the bottom on purpose so it can be scrapped up to go with the rest of the rice? maybe it's not the same cuisine, but i think there is a dish that is made that way.
yeah, the perfume would get to me. i'm with (e:Libertad) on this one... i would need to have extra allergy pills with me 24/7!
metalpeter - 08/31/07 19:30
Would I be correct in assuming the type of Cleansing you mean is that it does it spiritauly as opposed to it being a physical cleansing. I assumed that because I know in some cultures incense is used for that or at least in religous ceremonies.
Would I be correct in assuming the type of Cleansing you mean is that it does it spiritauly as opposed to it being a physical cleansing. I assumed that because I know in some cultures incense is used for that or at least in religous ceremonies.
libertad - 08/31/07 16:57
that pic of you getting gassed by the incense made me laugh. that guy next to you is looking at you like you are insane!
one thing i really hate is perfume and cologne. especially if i hug someone and their scent gets stuck on me. that is one of my worst hangups. I feel like that person is forever invading my space until i take a shower and change my clothes.
that pic of you getting gassed by the incense made me laugh. that guy next to you is looking at you like you are insane!
one thing i really hate is perfume and cologne. especially if i hug someone and their scent gets stuck on me. that is one of my worst hangups. I feel like that person is forever invading my space until i take a shower and change my clothes.
tinypliny - 08/31/07 14:58
The trick is to not inhale the whole aoud! You just take in a very small breath - you certainly don't waft it all over!!! It's particulate smoke.
The trick is to not inhale the whole aoud! You just take in a very small breath - you certainly don't waft it all over!!! It's particulate smoke.
tinypliny - 08/31/07 14:56
Attar!!! I love Attar!! Do they call it Attar too?
Attar!!! I love Attar!! Do they call it Attar too?
08/29/2007 03:57 #40796
neat thingsCategory: about doha
- I had a dream I slapped someone in the face in the middle of a party. I didn't realize just how satisfying this drama move could be.
- Enjoy the photos. I really wish you could be here to experience them live.
driving around town
on the corniche, view of downtown
electricity street (in the old part of town) name so because it was the first street to get electricity in doha
sunset on campus...i really must head out for more desert sunsets
i told you about the gondola rides at villagio mall
carey look what i found at the grocery!
dinner at a lebanese joint in the old souq
down by the old souq
jenks - 08/31/07 16:59
not to be a party pooper, but I had to look it up. :::link:::
Salvia officinalis - Common sage
Salvia divinorum - Diviner's sage
Good stuff either way...
not to be a party pooper, but I had to look it up. :::link:::
Salvia officinalis - Common sage
Salvia divinorum - Diviner's sage
Good stuff either way...
tinypliny - 08/31/07 15:04
Our comments crossed there. I see. I SEE!
Our comments crossed there. I see. I SEE!
tinypliny - 08/31/07 15:03
yeap, same question as jenks- I thought the salvia was generically different from the regular green grocer herb.
@jbeatty - Thanks! I might take you up on that!
yeap, same question as jenks- I thought the salvia was generically different from the regular green grocer herb.
@jbeatty - Thanks! I might take you up on that!
ladycroft - 08/31/07 15:02
one in the same. salvia divinorum is the scientific name. and boy it tastes just like it smells (i've never had the tea). it brings fond memories of running on a carrousell while chasing paul and screaming that carey looked scary in a big yellow hat! if that doesn't make sense look for one of my posts talking about sage or salvia.
one in the same. salvia divinorum is the scientific name. and boy it tastes just like it smells (i've never had the tea). it brings fond memories of running on a carrousell while chasing paul and screaming that carey looked scary in a big yellow hat! if that doesn't make sense look for one of my posts talking about sage or salvia.
jenks - 08/31/07 14:44
is regular old grocery store sage the same as salvia?!
is regular old grocery store sage the same as salvia?!
drew - 08/31/07 14:34
wow. And you get it at the grocer?
wow. And you get it at the grocer?
ladycroft - 08/31/07 14:32
sage, or salvia divinorum, is a powerful psychoactive herb. it can produce altered states as mild as uncontrollable laughter or as extreme as full halucinations or planes of being. Historically its use is related to religious meditation.
sage, or salvia divinorum, is a powerful psychoactive herb. it can produce altered states as mild as uncontrollable laughter or as extreme as full halucinations or planes of being. Historically its use is related to religious meditation.
jbeatty - 08/31/07 13:54
(e:tinypliny) you can borrow my Lebanese cookbook if you would like some ideas.
(e:tinypliny) you can borrow my Lebanese cookbook if you would like some ideas.
tinypliny - 08/31/07 10:19
What are those - pizzas? What are the toppings? Look pretty interesting! I am trying to learn Lebanese veggie recipes. I think they have some unque tasting food over there.
And why is the Sage thing so special? What do you use it for?
What are those - pizzas? What are the toppings? Look pretty interesting! I am trying to learn Lebanese veggie recipes. I think they have some unque tasting food over there.
And why is the Sage thing so special? What do you use it for?
tinypliny - 08/31/07 10:16
I wish I had that kind of dream more often. I am always the person who is getting slapped! :/ But hey, I always get to eat food in my dreams.
I <3 <3 LOVE <3 <3 YOUR PICTURES!!
I wish I had that kind of dream more often. I am always the person who is getting slapped! :/ But hey, I always get to eat food in my dreams.
I <3 <3 LOVE <3 <3 YOUR PICTURES!!
metalpeter - 08/30/07 17:22
Great pictures and thanks for sharing them, those gondolas look pretty interesting. In terms of the dream depending on what happened and how the slap is given sometimes it can be just as good for the person getting the slap.
Great pictures and thanks for sharing them, those gondolas look pretty interesting. In terms of the dream depending on what happened and how the slap is given sometimes it can be just as good for the person getting the slap.
theecarey - 08/29/07 12:19
yes! Nice grocey you have there-well stocked with the essentials :D Electricity Street and Desert Sunset picture really get to me; beautiful. I'm getting this deja-vous feeling over the Gondola pic. weird.
PS according to the time of your post, I just missed you on here. I was still up and on after 4am. drats.
yes! Nice grocey you have there-well stocked with the essentials :D Electricity Street and Desert Sunset picture really get to me; beautiful. I'm getting this deja-vous feeling over the Gondola pic. weird.
PS according to the time of your post, I just missed you on here. I was still up and on after 4am. drats.
libertad - 08/29/07 09:03
Looks beautiful. Nice dream too, sounds fun.
Looks beautiful. Nice dream too, sounds fun.
jbeatty - 08/29/07 08:37
Wow! Those are some really cool pictures.
Wow! Those are some really cool pictures.
There must be a hot, sensitive, musically gifted dentist somewhere in Qatar...
I will definitely cross my fingers for you with #5 and #6. Maybe the estrip folks could send you the dr. pepper:).
I will acknowledge you with a Hello. I know it isn't the same as watching TV. But once the new seasons start maybe you can watch some English speaking programs through internet or downloads. I will admit I have no 30 seconds to mars news really other then I saw Jared in "Lord Of War" over the weekend. He played the brother of Nicolas Cage's character in the movie. I think he did a good job.