It’s been an absolute blast, the best decision I ever made. I graduated from dishwasher (underwater ceramic technicians we called ourselves) to head chef in some big hotels, eventually opening my own restaurant which I ran for 10 years. Now, I’ve gone back to my academic roots and have my own language academy in Corralejo, working 4 nights a week and with the added bonus of Spanish school holidays, roughly translated as 2 ½ months off during our windy summer. Coincidence, I don’t think so ha ha.
Obviously over the years I have seen some big changes in Fuerteventura and, in particular, in Corralejo, my base in the north of the island. Corralejo has expanded substantially from the little sleepy fishing village it was back then and it’s way busier, but the island has retained its laid-back, surfy vibe. Driving to my favourite spots along the bumpy dirt track on the north shore I still feel the same exhilaration as I see the turquoise ocean peppered with whitecaps and the Atlantic rollers battering the rocky coastline. I won’t be leaving any time soon!
“ I won’t be leaving any time soon! ”