Yes, Ruth, true - that's why I call it "the Big City". Because Sofia holds more than one third of the population of Bulgaria. I have grown up in a very delicate and cultural city on the Danube river (a big one, too) but deprived of choices partially because of the unhealthy relationship we had with Romania being both part of the Eastern block. Ecoglasnost started there. I am sure Carolyn would guess which one is the city. So when I finished high school and had to choose an University, I did not hesitate for a minute.

I am trying to be optimistic and to remember the good things about Sofia, which is mostly this feeling of freedom you have to express yourself the way you like it but I have to say that the general untidiness and the vulgar behaviour of people start to get on my nerves.