You don’t realise how much we take communications for granted until suddenly it’s very difficult to talk easily with people and you can’t fully understand signs, instructions + the menu.
Consequently you are not overly aware of what’s happening in the world ( or even around you ) because you don’t read the paper / listen to the radio nor watch TV + you can’t even catch the gossip in the local café – although we do use the Internet + catch up with news from home, you feel somewhat detached. Clothing sizes are totally different + there’s no changing areas at the market stalls / Food labelling makes for very exciting food purchasing ( actually can be a bit of fun discovering exactly what you have purchased ) + we have long since given up converting Euro’s into Pacific Paso’s because otherwise with the exchange rate you wouldn’t want to spend any money - Having said all that, it’s obviously all part of the travelling experience and meeting people with different languages, customs + foods etc is a lot of fun and not to be missed
So after the first two weeks away with limited English speaking it has been great to meet up with Jenny + Ian for a month travelling together and sharing our limited languages resources + expenses – we have shared accommodation / meals and a lot of fabulous experiences – Shona + Jenny gang up on shopping raids together – Ian + I do our best not to have any money or credit cards with us – we share the driving, but Francesca + Marie-Antoinette have done all the navigation – and we have lots of stories ( but some will never be told !!! )
R
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