Ski Instructors Report 30 March 2013

Last week, I said that I would tell you about the Music Festival. Well, I did not hear much music, i.e. sounds from musical instruments played by musicians. I did hear a lot of sounds produce electronically on a computer, then repeated constantly and left on a loop. This seemed very popular with the 800 young persons who attended the festival. Many stood in rows banging their heads in time to whatever rhythm decided by the knob twirler. It was not my scene. The only music I heard was from the Velvet Blues, who were given an extra gig for the festival. Sadly, the people who attend such events cannot be trusted with sharp objects, so I had to drink my beer from a PLASTIC beaker. The organisers considered the week a great success and are looking forward to holding it again next year. If you are this sort of person who enjoys such events, I would suggest that you book early, as this year’s event sold out very quickly. I was watching the BBC News in my room at the Palarine and heard that the Home Secretary is changing the Border Security agency. This has prompted me to tell you about my experience as an economic migrant. Andorra treats migrants very differently from the U.K. When I am offered work, I have to take my employer’s offer and a clean British Police Report to immigration. Then I am sent for a blood test and medical to make sure that I am not bringing unwanted diseases in to the country. If any young person looks upon his ASBO, as a badge of honour, they may well find themselves being unable to work in a bar or as a ski instructor. On second thoughts, if they have an ASBO, they are more likely to snowboarders rather than skiers. If all goes well, when one starts to work, you will be covered by the Andorra Health Service, AFTER a period of time and have made sufficient contributions. The health service will pay 75% of all medical services or 100% if it is an injury at work. There is no such thing as unemployment benefit. It is a case of work or go home. It is possible to live in Andorra without working. You must prove that you have full private medical insurance and show proof of sufficient income to live on and rather controversially, deposit €30,000 with the Government. This will be returned to you on death or departure from Andorra and have incurred no local debts. I think in some ways Britain could learn something about immigration from Andorra There is only one week left before the resort closes. The weather has been very mild and I am starting to think about returning to England. I have enjoyed this season, which has produced more snow than any other that I can remember.