Foreign languages issues when travelling

[sugarglider]

The first time I went backpacking overseas, I went by myself, and I was very worried about how I would get by when I don't really speak any languages other than English.

I backpacked all over Europe, and it's amazing how widely English is spoken in a lot of countries, even if reluctantly in some places.

I also visited a few places where absolutely no English was spoken by anybody (particularly In Eastern Europe), but it's amazing how you can improvise to communicate with people. You also pick up words and phrases all over the place without even trying.

It's also amazing how the German and French I learnt at school, which I was sure I had completely forgotten, was miraculously recalled and became incredibly useful.

Oh, and phrasebooks come in pretty handy too. Pack a bunch of them, or just pick them up as you go.

[crazylily]

Wow,
you're life is so fun,
you must be a fun person,
where else have you been to
wish I'd have the courage to go backpacking too

I'm a worry fuss, too many things I worry about sometimes
i'm not really crazy in everything lol

[sugarglider]

Actually, I'm an extremely fussy, anxious kind of person myself, but I just decided to do it.

It's not that scary, really, it's a lot of fun.

[richiekotzenrules]

I think you are right sugarglider. When you visit a country you don't speak the language of you pick up some words or phrases very quickly. And even if people don't speak english and there is no other way there is still the way of speaking with your hands to show them what you want

But I think thankfully english is a language that a lot of people speak. And even if it's just a few words. I have seen so many times that if people see your are just visiting don't speak their language they are normally so helpfull and try everything to help.

I think it is great when people go around to see the world ! Where have you been ? What was the most exotic spot ?

[sugarglider]

I've basically been all over Europe, and I lived in the UK for a while.

I visited a few Eastern European countries like Prague and Budapest, which were very interesting. Probably the most exotic place I've been is Barcelona - lots of really extraordinary architecture.

I'd really like to travel to South-East Asia (which is actually a lot closer to where I live, in Australia!). I've been to the West Coast of the US (and Hawaii on the way), but I'm dying to visit New York.