I just returned from spending 3 months in France. I had to put out some fires, and tie up some loose ends. I won't bore you with the details, as it is all so mundane. But things have gotten worse over there. In France if you want to get anything done you have to deal with an army of petty bureaucrats. It is a red tape hell and the French love nothing more than forms, documents, and credentials to the point of fanaticism. Trying to get things done is akin to watching a snail race while wanting to step on the snails. I am jet lagged and tired, but glad to be back on this side of the pond.
Welcome home. I listen to our local opposition politicians whine about the country and how it's all because of the current government but those problems are repeated over and over in Europe and North America. The trick is to be in a country that is more adept at finding its way through this economic cycle. Looks like France isn't one such country!
France is one thing, New Zealand is another. Your skinny Prime Minister is once again making news across the world. I understand that you now have more women (60) in parliament than men (59). How did she manage that? That is quite an accomplishment, well done!