I'm going to another country for the first time.

[Neoma]

To learn Spanish! I've noticed that I know a lot already. No means no? Got that down pretty fast.

[UTUSN]

1. Start with all the food words!1 n/t

[WinkyDink]

2. Better to learn the word for "toilet" first! :-)

[Neoma]

8. That was seriously the first thing on my list of words to know.

Bathroom.

[MicaelS]

12. Very serious point on the subject of bathrooms.....

Found out what you are supposed to do with all of your used toilet paper. In many places you do NOT flush it, because the septic system can't handle it. You put it in the can near the toilet.

Hope you have a great time.

[Jenoch]

14. .That was one was one of the first things that I learned, about used toilet paper.

. We were in a Soviet built apartment. The apartment owner made much more money renting her apartmment to western visitors than she could by living there and working at a job.

The elevator did not work. The outside of the building was trashed. The stairwell was trashed. The inside of the apartment was in perfect condition. 

The interesting thing was the hot water in the bathroom. There was an electric instant hot water dispenser. The idea was to open the water valve, then press a button on an electric panel, while standing in a pool of water, and then opening the valve to the shower. There was not enough gas pressure to shower everyday. We sort of got used to it. 

[MicaelS]

15. Tankless water heater.

Popular in Europe, but never very popular in the US until recently. They have their pluses and minuses. Living in Texas, I would choose a solar hot water heating system over a tankless one. If I lived in a colder state, then a tankless unit would have much more appeal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tankless_water_heating

http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/tankless-or-demand-type-water-heaters

[Jenoch]

16. I was not thrilled with throwing the electroc switch

while standing in a puddle of water.

I have seen plans for solar water heaters that use regular water heaters built with frames and black paint. If I lived in Arizona, I would build one. It really would not be practical in Minnesota.

[MicaelS]

20. Agreed.

Solar hot water heater in a cold climate is just asking for trouble.

[DebJ]

28. I love going tankless. Our's doesn't require electric either to run pilot.

It uses the flow of the running water to generate the electricity to light the gas pilot.

I read one time of the energy and pollution savings if the entire planet went tankless. It truly is
incredibly wasteful to heat millions of gallons of water 24/7... even when you are on vacation.

[steve2470]

21. ¿Dónde está el baño?

pronounced bahn-yo.

Have a great time !

[Wounded Bear]

3. Cerveza, por favor...

But "bier" usually works, too.

[Neoma]

11. I can't drink alcohol.

We're going to upset the locals by not getting drunk.

[Wounded Bear]

17. TBH, neither can I. I'm allergic...

Every time I drink, I break out in handcuffs.

[A HERETIC I AM]

24. I hate it when that happens.

[Neoma]

26. I meant because of medications.

[Wounded Bear]

27. Sorry if I was a bit flippant...

Not intended.

[Arugula Latte]

4. First thing to do: Ask them loudly where their nearest McDonald's is.

If they don't understand, just shout louder. Then, when you find it, complain that it isn't as good as it is in 'murica.

[Jenoch]

7. I went to Moldova on business 15 years ago

I arrived on a Friday night with no meetings until Monday. I walked down the main street of the capital and saw a McDonald's. I was going to be there for two weeks, so I knew I had many opportunities to eat the local cuisine. 

Since it was a warm Saturday afternoon, I went into McDonald's for a soda. It was the cleanest McDonald's into which I had ever set foot. I got a Coke, fries, and the first double cheeseburger I had ever eaten at McD's. (I don't think they had yet been introduced it to the U.S.)  The food tasted the same as in the U.S. The only difference, other than the cleanliness, was that they charged for ketchup packets. I would guess they contained about twice the amount than the ketchup packets in the U.S. They cost .50 leu which is the same as 50 bani. That was .04¢ in 1999. Today it's about .035¢.

I did get to eat the local cuisine in many different restaurants and did not eat at McDonald's again on that trip.

[DebJ]

29. We went to Europe in 2003 and ate at a McD's ... I think London

I was stunned at how good the hamburger tasted. It does NOT taste like the vaseline-soaked
slime served here.

[Neoma]

9. Nah, I hate Mcdonalds. (There wouldn't be any there.)

I'll ask where the Chinese food is.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. Have a great time, my dear Neoma!

Living among the people who speak the language you're learning is a wonderful way to learn it. Total immersion rocks!

Take pictures too, and hopefully you can stay in touch.

[Neoma]

10. If you want me to, sure!

There's Internet there.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. Of course I want you to stay in touch!

It'll be fun to hear about your progress and your life there...

[pinboy3niner]

6. I'm envious

That sounds like a great experience. Have fun!

[a la izquierda]

18. Where ya going? Nt

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

19. Try to avoid some embarrassing "Spanglish" phrases

If you go out looking for groceries and ask people where you can locate the nearest store, avoid saying "busco groserias" ("I'm seeking obscenities or vulgarities&quot and if you realize your embarrassing mistake, avoid saying "estoy embarazada" ("I'm pregnant&quot .

[Sunlei]

22. you'll have a great time! what country? I lived for a year in Mexico city and another year in

Manizales, Colombia SA. Different Spanish in both places but we all understood enough to get by There are some very good phone apps these days for translation & learning Spanish, very helpful.

Both places work on a 'tip' (bribe) system to open doors a lot faster. If you're ever stuck with what seems like a long wait for paperwork or anything, a smile and a small tip will make all the difference.

In both places, it was wonderful with all the close day trips to see the sights.

[Neoma]

25. I'll say once I'm there maybe.

Since it's my first trip out of U.S soil, I'm paranoid.

[hobbit709]

23. The main words to learn in any language

Hello, thank you, how much, and where's the restroom.