Ya know i just returned after my first month long foray to BA on my worldwide quest for an ex-pat haven, weighing the pros and cons of the ersatz cost benefits analysis. This particular thread cinched it. Although I don't have to be present to participate in this hilariously highbrow snipey banter; knowing I was in a community of such wit, a 4 to 1 exchange rate- and no one to call me on a run on sentence- well gracias por todo. See you soon.
And for what it's worth, probably my single most pervasive sociological observation as a newbie was, that I NEVER saw anyone startle- walking at my brisk NY pace, on any given block, at any given time, day or night, coming up behind and passing another in a series of scantily clad brunettes, no one ever jumped, turned around, presented a can of mace- nada. It was a refreshing learning curve to let ones gaurd down a bit in a big city. And before I get the 'naaive' feedback, I spent my career as a Paramedic on the streets. I had a view afforded to very few.
Suerte,
Soidog