Hoda is 18 years old and supposed to be married off. Her family run Tree of Life, a popular inn next to the pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The inn is both a lively gathering place for western tourists, as well as a private home where the young daughters honour is under strict control. The family is introducing Hoda to a number of candidates for marriage, but within her completely different feelings are growing. When the Norwegian journalist Sigrid moves in and advises her to follow her own heart, it ends up having unexpected consequences for them both...