In 2005, you could find netcafes everywhere in Bulgaria. That’s all over now.

The independent internet cybercafes have all closed their doors. Not only in Sofia, but in pretty much every town throughout most of the country.

It seems that in just the past few years, Bulgarians have made the big switch en masse to owning a home computer and getting internet access, not unlike how the Romanian market has evolved during this same period. Advertisements are plastered all over the towns, announcing high speeds at cheap prices.

The internet providers not only put Americans to shame by offering speeds we cannot even buy, but they do it dirt cheap. 16 Mbps for 15€ in Bulgaria. Compare that to the United States, where you can only get a limp 6 Mbps and this slow crawl will set you back a whopping $40 or more each month.

And on top of it all, they provide wifi routers for all their clients by default. Yes, Virginia, a free wifi router –by default– provided by your ISP and preconfigured to be secure. That’s how it ought to be.

The economic impact should become obvious in 5 to 10 years, as Bulgaria leapfrogs from poverty to relative wealth. A strong internet infrastructure, very desirable real estate at growing (though reasonable) prices, and a well-developed tourism industry (Romanians should learn from their neighbors on this issue) all contribute to the boom.

Travel tip: Tourists can forget about finding internet cafes. They’re gone. Not just in the capital, either, but all across Bulgaria the well is dry. You can bring your iPhone or Eee PC and find hundreds of wireless connections on any given block, but you’ll also find out they’re secured.

Unless you’re in country for long period of time and get a 3G laptop modem, the typical tourist should prepare to be confined, largely, to your hotel for internet access. Make the effort to find out if any area eateries offer wifi by chance. Odds are they wont, since laptop-toting clients are still rare. If you get lucky and find one, you’re ahead of the game.

For the first time in years, I celebrated the American Independence holiday.

Of course, in Texas, there’s no better way to celebrate the ideals of a people than by exercising one’s second amendment rights for a few hours.

These were but two of the finely crafted firearms I was privileged to wield. The only tragedy occurred when a typical Houston monsoon blew in and flooded the entire gun club in under 15 minutes of rain which prevented us from getting around to the Kalashnikov as grand finale.

Later, the sun came back while we were seeking refuge in a Mexican restaurant, like animals on the Ark. A short visit to a friend trapped in his home and then, afterward, came the 21-hour BBQ and hands-on fireworks extravaganza (replete with accidental explosion) in the backyard of a good friend.

Yeehaw!

In U.S. politics, unlike most first world nations, there are two major parties (with minor parties –so far– unable to enter the contest) dominating our state mechanics. This may explain why some Americans seem so “black and white” on issues which may have a measure of gray, let alone a rainbow of colors. However, the professionals of corruption have been ignoring their Senatorial duties in favor of the greatest horse race around: the Presidential election.

It’s no small endeavor, to say the least.

While the Republic Party has chosen its supreme leader some time ago, the Democratic Party has been plagued by a person unable to let go of the prize they felt they (somehow) deserved. For some months, a large percentage of civically-minded individuals have been caught up in the media pingpong of “who’s going to win” celebrity nonsense. In reality, the outcome was decided quite a while ago: it’s just that one person could not stop themselves from a selfish desire to pretend they might win when all realists knew they could not.

Just the other day, it became official. Any experienced person knew the nomination had already been locked, but the media kept selling advertisements by convincing the public a viable contest was underway. Ah, ratings. In this case, even the candidate in question mistakenly believed there was a chance. What, with all the hype.

Nonetheless, I think Hillary finally heard the message which has been ensconced in the experienced political observer’s mind these past couple dozen weeks. It was always there, but she refused to listen. At long last, the spoilt child has been spanked and the arrow found it’s mark.

While I think many of you might laugh along with me at the crude representation of the message, I do trust the more gullible of you will make an effort to refrain from misunderstanding the general sentiment. And, if I erringly ascribe to you respect you’re too immature to wield, then I’ll be amused should you opt to quioxtically attack the messenger.

The message? Quite old.