After renovating a dilapidated Andalusian cottage and transforming it into a guest house, Robert and Sabina face a new set of challenges. As they continue to uncover the pros and pitfalls of hospitality, they realize that they need to do more to establish roots in their new community before they feel truly at home.
During this transition period, they travel between Andalusia and the Middle East, in an effort to decide whether the idea of living among the olive groves is sustainable or whether they need to reconsider their life path and return to their old lives in the Gulf. Not having steady jobs means that financial worries are always on the horizon.
In this third installment of the New Life in Andalusia series, we find Robert and Sabina at a crossroads. As they contemplate their future, they continue to discover this beautiful part of the world and deepen their friendships and relationships with their neighbors.
A perfect read for the fans of Driving Over Lemons, Under the Tuscan Sun, A Year in Provence, and A Rosie Life in Italy
With their Andalusian guesthouse ready to welcome visitors, Robert and Sabina face new challenges. They battle through a snowy winter and face another year of drought. With few bookings, no water, and very little money left, they start looking back and doubt their decision to leave their cushy jobs in the Middle East for the harsh reality of life in the countryside. Was moving to Andalusia a big mistake?
At times, it's hard to see how they can continue on this adventure. Learning the ropes of the hospitality business is riddled with stress. Held captive by guest reviews, they endure numerous customer indiscretions in order to put their guesthouse on the map. Instead of the gracious hosts that they had imagined themselves becoming one day, they become somewhat disillusioned with it all. It's not all sangria and castanets. But while their journey is filled with setbacks, burdens are made lighter thanks to new friendships and the kindness of their neighbors, whose families had lived in the valley for generations.
Written with a wry sense of honest humor, this story is filled with events that will make you laugh out loud, moments when you might shed a tear, and situations that will make you ask: What were they thinking?
In pursuit of their dream of a simpler life amidst the natural beauty of Andalusia, Sabina and Robert embark on a life-changing journey from Abu Dhabi to the rugged landscapes of Spain. Drawn by the allure of whitewashed villages, red geraniums, and endless olive trees, they find their paradise—a quaint stone cottage nestled in a secluded mountain valley.
Excited to transform their new abode into a welcoming guest house, the couple dives headfirst into their venture. With scant foresight and an abundance of determination, Sabina and Robert grapple with rogue builders, a lack of electricity, and the unpredictability of Mother Nature.
Yet, it is amid these trials that they forge meaningful connections with their neighbors. As they adapt, they discover that life in the sun is far from the carefree utopia they envisioned.
This poignant tale follows the duo's rollercoaster of highs and lows. From the monotonous routine of their past to the daily challenges in Andalusia, every moment is an adventure, an opportunity for growth, and a chance to rediscover the true essence of the good life.
A perfect read for the fans of Driving Over Lemons, Under the Tuscan Sun, and A Year in Provence
