Here we are again with another insightful interview which details just what it takes to become one of our wonderful Tinggly activity partners. In this edition we’d like to introduce Mehedi Saleh Al-Hewaitaat who runs the highly successful Bedouin Directions experience tours and helps us to provide travellers with the chance to camp under the stars in Wadi Rum.
Astonishing video about the desert experience:
This fabulous two person experience invites guests to sleep overnight in a secret Bedouin encampment within a protected area of Jordan’s world-famous desert, Wadi Rum. From traditional tea and evening meal to an all-encompassing sea of stars, this is an incredibly romantic setting for a peaceful and authentic adventure in the Middle East.
Without further ado, let’s introduce the man behind the plan, Mehedi.
Dear Mehedi, thanks for talking to us today. Firstly, could you tell us some more about your background?
Hello Tinggly readers. I’m a Bedouin man from the Heuwaitaat tribe. We’re a very big tribe originating from Saudi Arabia and can trace our genealogy back to Fatima, the daughter of Prophet Mohammed. My family are from Wadi Rum, Jordan, and we have been living in and around this area for generations.
I, like my father, was born and lived in the desert however, unlike my father, I grew up to work for a man in our village who had an established business in tourism. When I started I didn’t speak any English but I was still able to assist with the tours, including: hiking, safaris and cooking. It was hard work, but I enjoyed it, and it was through our guests that I started to learn English.
I met my wife in 2009 when she was here teaching English and after we got married in 2010 we decided to work together and start our own tourism business.
We didn’t really have a plan. We had no Jeeps, no camp, nothing. At first we started out with a few guests, and I would rent a car from a friend. I would take guests bivouac camping in the desert. I didn’t make any income for a long, long time because every penny I put back into the business and the running costs. Our plan was to first get a Jeep, then to build a camp, then after that I’d make a little house for me and my family.
The area where we decided to make our camp is quiet, secluded and really beautiful. I thought it would be something a bit different for people – more of an adventure. Most of the camps here are located in the open with a view. This is great and many people love it, but I wanted to cater to a new crowd of people. My experience also told me that people always commented on how they could see all the other camps around them. They didn’t like that. Where I chose to put my camp is the furthest into the desert, and you can’t see it. This way the camp has little impact on the look of the desert, and our guests feel completely secluded. They feel lost but in a safe way!
My wife and I have two children, but I am Bedouin so Insha’Allah we will have many more! Bedouin people always have big families because a big family makes you stronger. We don’t have pensions, care homes, social services etc. so when you have a big family, everyone helps each other.
What are your hobbies?
Ha, ha! This is a funny question. Bedouin people don’t really have hobbies. For us we see life, work, and play all as one. We don’t put them into a separate timetable. We have things we enjoy doing, but we usually need to see a purpose for them. For example, I will go into the desert with my family, but when we are there we’ll make a meal, drink some tea, collect firewood, and perhaps visit other members of our family. This would not seem to us like empty time. I mean, to us, when we play we work, and when we work we play. When I have no guests, I like to spend time with my family, or with friends, or visiting other family members, this kind of thing.
What’s your favorite weekend activity?
I often go to the desert with friends or family and a goat. We would then kill the goat and prepare a fresh and tasty barbecue. We do this as a big social activity, and we share all the work together. We usually make a barbecue for lunch, then manseff for dinner. Manseff is a traditional meal where the meat is cooked in a kind of soured milk called jameed. We serve this with rice and shrak (Bedouin bread). Very tasty.
Why did you start your business? What attracted you to it? What’s the story behind it?
I didn’t really start my business with a big plan or dream. I just tried to start to work a little with tourists myself, and then it grew from there. Some of my guests wrote about me on the Lonely Planet forum and on Tripadvisor. Then, from that, more people came. Then, they also wrote about me and slowly, slowly it grew. I now receive about 2,000 – 2,500 guests a year. Al-hamdulilah. I like my work because I get to spend all my time in the desert, and I meet so many different people from all around the world. If I had a different kind of job, I would not get to be in the desert as much. I am Bedouin and the desert is such a big part of who I am. I would be lost in an office. The work with tourists is really the only possibility for me, or to be a shepherd in the desert, but this way is not so possible any more. The old Nomadic life is difficult with the borders – we can’t move around enough, and also there is not as much rain and grazing for the animals like before.
What are the most rewarding aspects of your job and what makes it all worthwhile?
When people leave happy, having had a wonderful time. We are then happy that people have enjoyed their time and our home.
What would you advise to keep a healthy work / life balance?
Live like the Bedouin. Keep work and the things you enjoy all mixed up as one.
What are the greatest stresses in your life and how do you cope?
I don’t really worry very, very much because I know anything that comes to me is from Allah. Blessings or difficulties. I trust in Allah that what happens in my life is ultimately the best for me, even if I can’t understand why. But of course I worry sometimes. The biggest stress is with my work worrying about the people, and if they have enjoyed their stay etc. People seem to want more and more out of their visit, and it is impossible to please everyone (try as we might). It can be difficult sometimes to predict what will happen because sometimes there is a cultural misunderstanding or misconception. I worry about this, because in the end we want our guests to enjoy their stay. I have to look to many directions to take care of my business i.e. the guides, the Jeeps, the camp, the food, the list goes on. My head is always busy organising everything and everyone. Logistics is a big part of my work.
What is your favorite travel destination and why?
Wadi Rum! It is my home and where I know myself and of course for its beauty and silence. This is where I feel most relaxed.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you for taking the time to hear me and Insha’Allah see you in Wadi Rum one day!
Thank you too Mehedi and we’d also love to meet you in Wadi Rum, Insha’Allah!
If you’d like to find out more about Medhedi and life as a Bedouin then please don’t hesitate to get in touch and we’ll be happy to help. Also, if you’d like to know more about our worldwide network of Tinggly tour operators then give us a call or sign up to our newsletter to read another of our awesome interviews. All the best from the Tinggly team.
Photo credits:
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Bedouin man with young girl – photo by Holly Richardson;
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Mehedi, Saleh, Auwdeh – photo by Elena Givone;
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Bedouin guide jumping – photo by Spiro Marcandonatos;
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Camels – photo by Khoo May Pin;
- In the bedouin tent near fireplace – photo by Tony Howard;
Experience travels in another way. Experience gifts by Tinggly:
