Komitata,

That would make some sense, thankfully, I would like to think I make friends quickly ^__^ haha. I find that some things said about New Yorkers, are true as well, so I don't get defensive when they're said. It is something I think is typical of 'city life' -- I know very few of my neighbors, and the ones I do know, I am acquainted with only because we attended school together.

Do you think the 'familial unit' is of more importance in BG than in the US? Does this differ from the city, than in the rural areas? I just don't know where the shift from more communal life/concerns to individualistic ways of life occurs...Hmm..

Ah, that "C-word" haha. I did a 25 page paper &amp; slideshow on corruption in my "Democracy and Development" class. And of course I just had to write about Bulgaria (the judicial system, more specifically.) :) Az iskam edin camolet do Bulgariya sega! Edin den... haha. I don't know how to explain my fascination either, but I love it!