The English speakers of the world have quite an advantage when they travel anywhere. It may be difficult to communicate sometimes, but if any person knows a little of any other language than their own, it is most likely English. I have met several English-speaking travelers so far that know very little, if any, Spanish or Portugues, and they seem to survive just fine.
Even more interesting was Chui, a Taiwanese girl I met in Montevideo. She is traveling alone like myself, and doesn´t speak nary a word of Spanish. But she doesn´t speak English either; she uses English words when she knows them, and her electronic translator when she doesn´t. I thought this was fascinating and inspiring: if this timid Taiwanese girl who is 100-pounds soaking wet can travel solo, anyone can.
"And my English has gotten better!" she says to me, as we sit in a hostel room in Latin America. Increíble.
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