Different countries are kind of scary when you don't speak the language. I love London, and feel perfectly comfortable there even though they often have confusing sayings or customs that I don't understand. But even if some of the words might not make sense, the explanation is usually easy enough.
However, when you're alone in a foreign country and don't speak a lick aside from some hastily downloaded phone phrases, it can be a bit nerve wrecking knowing that you can't even necessarily ask for help when you need it.
This all became very real as I started to wander down the street with no real idea of where I was, in kind of a sketchy neighborhood, with all my belongings clutched in my hands. Luckily, the little red dot that was me on the gps caught on to tell me I was on the right track, and I was able to remember about where I needed to go with my predownloaded maps, seeing as I have no service in France.
But the story has a happy ending. I found the hostel, no problem, went upstairs and promptly made friends with two of the other people in the room, who were coincidently both from Brazil, and went out and had a nice dinner with them. And once again felt bad for not really being able to speak another language fluently, like they could with English. But hopefully that will be changing soon enough!
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