This country has a lot of appeal, and I could move here except for a couple of things. Well, one main thing: they don't allow outsiders to take up permanent residence unless (a) the outsider has skills they need and has no medical issues their healthcare system will be called on to address, or (2) the outsider forks over more money than I will ever have.
It is a gorgeous country. When we leave here for Australia tomorrow, it will be a sad farewell. The likelihood of passing this way again is small.
Lamb is a plentiful food here, so I tasted it for the third time in my life. Guess what? I dislike it just as much as the first and second times. The likelihood of me trying it a fourth time equals the likelihood of another trip to New Zealand.
*Crosses lamb off the "welcome home" menu. Substitutes with a sweet potato risotto.*
ReplyDeleteImmigration rules are disturbingly similar to country club requirements in Greenwich, CT, where I grew up. Envision an entire community of Donald Trump. I'm less likely to return there than you are to return to New Zealand.
ReplyDeleteThe "skills they need" today may be utterly irrelevant next week; they stifle the really creative. Similarly, Greenwich is home to the obscenely wealthy, many of whom were wonderfully creative, but they have passed beyond that spark of innovation. They come to Greenwich to sit on their wealth.
Our immigration process is messy, but has been a tremendous resource. I suggest it is much easier to think outside the box when you can't afford a damned box - or perhaps have never seen one.
I was just re-reading some old posts on my blog, and I came upon your contrast-and-compare comment. Nicely stated, my friend.
DeleteLast times are an interesting and sobering thing to ponder.
ReplyDelete