When I was learning to write, one of the oldest Balkan SF writers told me to always include my experience...even in the fictional settings. As a wannabe writer in early twenties, I thought he was just grumpy and in the bad mood. Today, I know he gave me a million dollar advice :-)

And this story is brilliant. If I say anything else it wouldn't be good enough. You have that rare combination of exceptional life experience, a talent for writing and love for storytelling. If New York is not that freaking far from Novi Sad, I would definitely buy you a beer! :-)