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Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World | 
| Author: Rita Golden Gelman
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
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Avg. Customer Rating:  115 reviews
Sales Rank: 9563
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 320
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 8 x 5.1 x 0.7
ISBN: 0609809547
Dewey Decimal Number: 910
EAN: 9780609809549
ASIN: 0609809547
Publication Date: May 28, 2002
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Amazon.com
When Rita Golden Gelman traveled to Mexico during a two-month separation from her husband, she hoped to satisfy an old craving for adventure and, in the process, rejuvenate herself and her marriage. Little did she know it was the beginning of a new life, not just as a divorcee, but as a nomad of the world. Since 1986, Gelman has had no permanent address and no possessions except those she can carry. She travels without a plan, guided by instinct, serendipitous opportunities, and a remarkable ability to connect with people. At first her family and friends accused her of running away, but Gelman knew she had embarked on a journey of self-discovery and a way of life that is inspiring and enviable. We know Gelman is not your typical middle-aged housewife from LA when, on that first trip to Mexico, she randomly picks a Zapotec village and decides to live there for a month, knowing nothing about the culture or the language. When she arrives, the villagers run away from her, terrified. By the time she leaves, there are hugs and tears. From there she travels to Guatemala and Nicaragua, Israel and the Galapagos Islands. But the heart of the book--and her 15-year journey--is Indonesia, where she lives for eight years. It is Bali that forever changes how she looks at the world, facilitated by her friendship with an aging prince. Tu Aji not only invites her to live with his family but decides that the education of Rita will be his final duty in life. Wherever she goes, Gelman has an uncanny ability to slip into other ways of life and become part of a community. And she is a person for whom doors open widely--her seatmate on the plane to Bali scrawls the prince's name on a piece of paper, she talks her way into a sojourn at Camp Leakey in Borneo where orangutans are studied, and an entire village in a remote part of Irian Jaya prays for the clouds to clear so her plane can land--and they do! Gelmen's secret is her passion for people. That being the case, the book is short on descriptions of place, but long on the rarer inside view of the peoples and customs of those places. This in itself is treat enough, but Gelman's animated and intimate story comes with a kicker--it's never too late to fulfill those dreams. --Lesley Reed
Product Description
“I move throughout the world without a plan, guided by instinct, connecting through trust, and constantly watching for serendipitous opportunities.” —From the Preface
Tales of a Female Nomad is the story of Rita Golden Gelman, an ordinary woman who is living an extraordinary existence. At the age of forty-eight, on the verge of a divorce, Rita left an elegant life in L.A. to follow her dream of connecting with people in cultures all over the world. In 1986 she sold her possessions and became a nomad, living in a Zapotec village in Mexico, sleeping with sea lions on the Galapagos Islands, and residing everywhere from thatched huts to regal palaces. She has observed orangutans in the rain forest of Borneo, visited trance healers and dens of black magic, and cooked with women on fires all over the world. Rita’s example encourages us all to dust off our dreams and rediscover the joy, the exuberance, and the hidden spirit that so many of us bury when we become adults.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 110 more reviews...
A great curl up and read book July 25, 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, so much so, that I read it straight through in only a couple of days. Some of the reviewers criticize Ms. Gelman for casting her opinions about some of the culture issues, but I think she demonstrates that she clearly wrestled with this as I think most of us would if we suddenly tried to fit into a foreign (to us) culture. Personally, I was rather horrified by some of the brutality of other cultures and these are places I have no desire to visit. I enjoyed the first part of the book more than the second, because I could really identify with her motives for wanting to get out on her own and see the world and likewise, her struggles to go it alone. I do think some of the writing in the second half of the book seems a bit choppy and does not flow as well as the beginning of the book. But this could also be an editing issue. I appreciated Ms. Gelman's honesty about her motives, her feelings, her learning that her children have missed her and her struggles in getting in shape, etc. Most of us would have painted a pretty little picture and have nixed the honesty. Overall, if you are looking for a book that demonstrates it's possible for a woman to travel on her own and participate in the activities of different cultures, meet people and make new friends a long the way, this is a great book.
 Rita's an Amazing woman! July 15, 2008
I just finished reading Rita's book for the second time and loved it even more. I often give a copy as a gift to girlfriends with courage and determination to pursue their dreams, as Rita did (and continues to do). It takes true gumption to live as a nomad and the payback in magical. She's an inspiration! I'd love to meet her one day... hopefully in some far away local learning from the locals. If you've ever considered stepping out of the safety box, give this book a read and see where it takes you.
It's not about the places... July 4, 2008
Other reviewers have summarized the book's premises, so I'll just add my perspective.
I was blown away by Rita's ability to handle herself in all sorts of situations. Living with someone else's family is tough under the best of conditions. Rita lives in rooms, shacks and houses. I'm trying not to think about the bathrooms. She eats whatever she's served.
Rita doesn't spare herself when she describes her mistakes and missteps as she makes her way from one place to the next. She doesn't just present a travelogue: she shares her own identity questions, especially in the chapter on Israel.
What I got from this book is: You have to be a very special kind of person to go on this type of journey. Rita seems to have a low need for solitude and privacy.
Eat dinner alone? No way. She looks for people. I felt a little embarrassed when I read about her first efforts to connect with others.
Finding herself alone in Seattle, she heads to REI for shopping. Shopping? Seattle is filled with bookstores, libraries, museums and just beautiful places to walk. But I can see wanting to take part in the quintessential American shopping experience.
And REI is a landmark.
Bottom line: Rita is one of the most other-oriented people we'll meet in a book. She loves being with people and she has a gift for getting others to help her. I don't think she's manipulative - just naturally friendly and authentic. Life coaches would say she's a natural attractor.
That's the kind of person you need to be if you're going to explore other cultures from the inside out. I read somewhere that he best Peace Corps volunteers are those who can enjoy the present moment.
Besides a gift for people, Rita's got two amazing kids. She says they missed having her around while she was adventuring, especially in the early years. I say, "Too bad!" Who wouldn't want a mom like this one? What a role model and sometime travel partner.
Very interesting read. Inspiring too! June 30, 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Not only is the author's unique path in life inspiring, but the experiences described are a much more intimate look at people from other cultures than what you typically find.
Gelman forms relationships with the people she meets - mainly because she lives among them and isn't traveling as a tourist.
Even if you don't end this book wanting to buy a backpack and a one-way ticket to anywhere, this book will remind you that people are the same everywhere, just the clothes, customs, and food are different.
I had to edit my review after reading some of the surprising comments about Gelman's ego/arrogance, America-centric viewpoint, etc. The jaundiced tone of these reviews doesn't gel with my impression of the book - or of the author.
I was fortunate to meet Rita recently and found her very down-to-earth. A group of us had a delightful lunch, talking, asking, listening. As for the criticism that the book is very America-centric in its assumptions about the rest of the world, I don't see it. Gelman is very respectful of other cultures, exactly what most Americans abroad are not.
And my favorite section of the book was Bali...the section of the book that seems to have received the most negative comments. I was completely drawn in to the story of those years.
Fascinating Subject Matter June 22, 2008
It is very likely that I will not be a world traveler till I am much older since I have two little ones still at home. But that doesn't mean that I cannot enjoy another's travel stories. This one is full of stories, but it is lacking in some respect. I was expecting a little bit more information on the cultures of the people that the author has talked with and perhaps a little bit more on the politics of the countries she has traveled.
Rita Golden Gelman finds herself at a crossroads in her life where her marriage fell apart and her children have left the nest. She takes a trip to Mexico to figure out what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. She decided to be a world traveler and visit the places she has always wanted to see. She did not want to travel the normal touristy routes, so she chose to see the back regions of countries that she has only heard of or read of. Her first place was in a Zapotec village and thus the wanderlust was developed.
The places that she visited seem to be so remote and so far away. It was so much fun to read about different places that I'd love to go someday. However, I am questioning one thing. If some of the places that she has revisited have taken a downturn in economic woes, why didn't she bring back food that might actually help the people that she claims to love? I understand that people give gifts better than accepting, but still, couldn't she have found a way to distribute powdered milk for kids who need it? It's just a thought.
Also, I am not sure if I think she is blessed to have so many friends where she can borrow their houses temporarily or if she is a moocher. Maybe she is the combination of both. Another thing that does disturb me in this book is her lack of responsibility in taking care of her mother in her last days. There are quite a few things in this book that makes me question her decisions, but it is her life.
This is an armchair travel book and while I didn't agree with everything in this book, it is well-written and the travels are fascinating, even if she is a bit self-absorbed. (I have yet to read a memoir where the author isn't self-absorbed, other than "Glass Castles by Jeannette Walls and "The Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas.) The author has whetted my appetite to see New Zealand and learn more about that country, more than any other country that she has mentioned in her book. The descriptions of food are beyond belief. I am not a fan of Thai food but sure wish I could eat some right now based on her descriptions. And she does provide some interesting insights to different people of different cultures, even though she admits at the end that she's always weaving something and loving it at the same time.
So if you like to travel, this book is great for you. You won't be able to put this one down.
6/22/08
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