Two Old Fools on a Camel by Victoria Twead

Victoria Twead’s beloved series usually places her and her husband, Joe, firmly in their charming, chaotic Andalucían village of El Hoyo. However, Two Old Fools on a Camel sees them undertaking their biggest adventure yet: a year-long teaching stint in Bahrain.

The reason for this enormous change? Simple economics. They discover that retired life in their idyllic Spanish mountain village is proving more expensive than their pension funds can comfortably manage. The plan is straightforward: earn a nest egg teaching at an English language school in Bahrain, then return home financially secure.

Of course, with Joe and Vicky, nothing is ever simple.

When Plans Meet Reality

They arrive to a far-from-ready welcome. Their promised apartment is unavailable, forcing them into a hotel, along with several other colourful teachers.

The school itself is a portrait of delightful, bewildering chaos. They arrive to find a total organizational vacuum: a computer virus has wiped out all student lists and timetables, leaving a staff of bewildered new teachers scrambling to establish order. Joe is assigned to teach high school Math and Physics, while Vicky takes on middle school English.

Classroom Challenges and Cultural Quirks

The core of the book’s humor springs from Vicky’s relentless optimism clashing head-on with the challenges of the classroom. She navigates poor facilities, unmotivated students, and a colourful cast of quirky colleagues and staff members.

Vicky maintains her characteristic humorous touch as she tries to connect with her classes, though she faces one particularly unique problem: the majority of her male students are named Mohammed. As she struggles to distinguish one piece of work from another, she manages to find the comedy in a situation that would send most teachers running for the exit. Twead handles these encounters with the warmth and wit that fans of the series have come to expect, making every cultural misunderstanding and bureaucratic hurdle feel like a shared, hilarious ordeal.

An Unexpected Backdrop

Adding a layer of dramatic tension to their daily classroom struggles, the Arab Spring begins to unfold. Starting in Tunisia and spreading to Egypt, the political turmoil eventually reaches Bahrain itself.

While Joe and Vicky are somewhat sheltered from the worst of the events, they are acutely aware of the tragic demonstrations, police interventions, and lives lost happening just outside their bubble. This geopolitical backdrop serves as a reminder that their temporary assignment takes place against a complex and shifting reality, adding depth and contrast to their personal, often comedic, anxieties.

The Journey Home

Eventually, things settle enough for the school to resume, but neither Joe nor Vicky ever truly finds happiness in their new temporary home. They are relieved when their contract concludes and they can finally pack their bags and return to their one surviving chicken and a warm welcome from all their old friends.

Two Old Fools on a Camel is ultimately a story of coming home. It’s a delightful read for anyone who enjoys travel mishaps, cultural comedy, and heartwarming relationships. It confirms that while adventure is grand, the greatest comfort is found in the familiar chaos of their beloved mountain village in Spain.

This book is a fantastic choice if you want to escape to a place filled with sun, sand, and plenty of laughs!