AndorraMapMay 4–5, 2004 I only found out that there is such a state and that it’s in Europe a couple of years ago. The only way to atone for this gap in my knowledge was to actually go there in person. It took me a day to drive there from Madrid (about 650 kilometres). The border is just a customs kiosk, which no one comes out of. After driving past some highfalutin car dealerships and a village with a tobacco museum you end up in the capital — Andorra la Vella. I was immediately struck by the desire to buy a house and stay here forever. A town in the mountains is a dream come true. ![]() So I go out in search of food. Ooh, a pizzeria! I go up to the entrance, where there’s a sign on the door: “Menu in Russian”. Great, thanks. I keep walking. I come across a restaurant that looks nice and serves alpine cuisine. A sticker on the door says in Russian that it’s part of some special programme. The desire to buy a house and stay here forever instantly dissipated. ![]() I observed a fascinating bunch of Russians as I tucked into my delicious dinner. Or rather, half of patrons in the restaurant were Russian, but the conversation one particular party was having over dinner was so riveting that I didn’t even manage to do any reading. A young Russian guy was complaining to his friends about his young wife. The fact that she can to spend her young Russian husband’s money had made her go completely bonkers. What’s more, she isn’t just spending his money, it’s like she’s possessed. She buys stuff, takes the shopping bags home, plonks them down, then goes out again to get more. She does this all day long. And she’s only buying brand-name goods. A terrifying Andorran tale. ![]() General view. ![]() They’re digging a tunnel. ![]() The town. ![]() Car number plate. ![]() Garage. ![]() It’s beautiful — just like Mount Elbrus, but with all of the hallmarks of civilisation. ![]() |
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Andorra
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