It was to a man in an elevator.
He started a bit, replied in kind, then guessed, “American?”
“Yep,” I responded and took a stab myself, “British?”
“Yes.”
Turns out his girlfriend is Bulgarian and they’re great people. We’ve met for food and or drinks several times and, amidst bickering over who invented what and whether you walk on the sidewalk or on pavement, I’ve actually learned a whole heck of a lot. Mostly about Bulgaria, since I knew practically nothing to start with.
One of the main things I learned was how widespread corruption was despite the relatively high level of education. This surprised me since I had always considered a widespread effective education to be the best salve for a state. My theory was that an educated populace will demand the basic freedoms they see other people having.
I suppose I will need to tack a few more necessities onto that list. I’m assuming a general social safety net and basic belief that the average person can change things are the two other necessary ingredients.
Regardless, it’s been great to have someone to meet up with for food or some drinks on occasion. Unfortunately they leave for England in a couple weeks and probably won’t be back until February at the soonest. I suppose an ongoing problem I will experience is that most people I will be interested in spending time with will be on 30 day visas.