When landed in 2002, tired as travelling through Germany, awaken all night with no expectations, missing the fiancé, I was quite disappointed to see only the moonlike landscape.
I had no clue what the island was like as there was no guide on Fuerteventura available at that time. First weeks were quite confusing, so little people speaking English, all new, all different, the distance from family and fiancé was so worrisome. The three months were supposed to be a quick getaway before coming back and starting a family.
Step by step I began to get to know people, make new friends, discover new places and I realized the island in not only a moonlike scenery. Once I started picking up some Spanish I found it so communicative to talk to the local people, my favourite ladies at the bakery, local fishermen, and all the small shops when you talk to everyone even if you do not know your conversationalist. People had the custom to say HOLA to everyone and what surprised me even more that it was always accompanied with a smile and warm facial expression. I started feeling like home.
Crushing blow…
Just before coming back I realized I did not want this life to end, I made friends from different nationalities, I started exploring other Canary islands, Morocco and suddenly I was about to come back and rise children. NO. STOP. NOT YET.
Just to make sure I was making the right decision I decided to stay a bit longer, probably to find the courage to give the engagement ring back and announce I was not going to come back, I chose Fuerteventura.
I remember my mum asking me many questions and me having no answer to any of them. The following questions were easier; Was I in love with another man? Not at all. I was in love with life. I had the feeling that it was not the time to come back and get married, there were so many places to be explored, Fuerteventura became a box of surprises for me, whenever I was going, I was exploring a new place accompanied with unique memories. I didn’t smoke anything hahahaha (as my decision was quite a shock to my parents), I just needed to convince them it was my own decision.
Luckily for me, my parents have always supported me and given me the wings to fly. ( Blessed me to have such lovely parents) It was important for them to know that it was my well thought idea of the future life abroad with all the consequences related to it.
After few more weeks from the epic decision I came back to my hometown to grab more things, organize all stuff and obviously give the ring back. The one and only – cousin M. offered to drive me to Wroclaw. That was one of the life situations that you will never forget, not easily at all but when you feel that your life is taking a new mainstream you become more mature and are given a serious life lesson. Tears, sorrow, anger, a lack of plan and unsecure future…. I knew it was not going to be easy…. But the decision had been already taken.
My love to Fuerteventura was much stronger than anything else.
My adventure started with new Spanish courses, new jobs, new friends, new flats… all new, all erratic… a real roller coaster.
What had such an impact on me? Primarily and most importantly I think that were the people, the need to explore the culture, the island, the variety of landscapes and places unspoiled that I explored. I was hungry of it!
I was living a dream although it was not so smooth and easy from the very beginning. Anyway, it is not easy even now. I have a feeling that there is always something happening. In the past, I desired a quiet and organized life where everything could be easily planned but once I started planning a thing it was always coming upside-down so I decided to ´change the chip´ and enjoy all life was to offer me. Fuerteventura forms a very important part of my life, changed it, and offered me lots of memories, experiences, and unique moments. I met a man that fulfilled me totally at some point of my life. I am grateful to be given the opportunity to find out what love is about, I have done things I would probable never done if not in love. But, I also learnt that sometimes one needs to close the chapter, or even a book, and move on for one reason or another. Unfortunatelly, the story with Mr. P ended with emotional hangover.
I miss my family a lot. My parents play a very important role in my life; I know I can always rely on them. I am so proud of my sibling as well, my sister living in Sydney, my brother living in London, both of them are great personalities and great professionals in what they do.
Creativity never ends…
Professionally, I touched many sectors: worked in decoration shop, decorated villas, later became a Sale Manager of luxury villas, the Europe´s crises ended the gold era of real estate when second residences were sold like fresh rolls, only few days after I left the real estate office I was travelling to Cape Verde where I stayed for another 5 years working as a Hotel Director. I also had the opportunity to work for the institution created by the Capeverdian government for a year. I ran a business. Lots of chapters written there and many levels on the moral hierarchy learnt. Finally, I decided to come back to the place I felt best at – Fuerteventura. I realized the hospitality is the sector that best reflects my skills and aptitudes. New challenges push me higher; I can practice the languages I speak and be surrounded by fantastic workmates and guests. Luxury sector is still an enigma for me, I am constanly improving my knowledge on new tendencies and market demands. It is motivating to keep on learning and discovering new things. Cool hunting and luxury tendencies are my major interest for now. Each day brings new elements to build my life up.
And…
My story continues…
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