Learn your languages!

One really important thing to prepare for before you go on expedition is the language spoken in your destination. Although we wouldn't expect anyone to become fluent in Malagasy or Arabic before they go away...it's always useful to learn a few phrases which not only shows respect but also helps break the ice with the locals!

Things can be especially difficult when you enter a country with a different alphabet as well; the most challenging place I have ever been to was China where to order a train ticket we had to use a mix of pidgin Chinese, highlighted words in our Lonely Planet guidebook, and some embarrassing miming whilst a growing crowd of pushy commuters started getting impatient behind us- so it definitely helps if you do some preperation and practice!

Below are phrases in the languages of each of the destinations we go to- can anyone translate them, or does anyone have any phrases in other languages that they have found useful?

It's great to learn some language for
the project phase of your expedition!

Tanzania & Uganda: Ninataka kupiga picha yako.
Bolivia & Peru: Que idiomas hablas?
Morocco: shukran jazeelan
Madagascar: Ohatrinona ny vidiny?
Thai: pa-sa Thai khaong chan
Malaysia & Borneo: Di manakah bilik mandi?

So avoid the embarrassing sterotype of the British traveller that barks English at the local people wherever they go (and wears socks with sandals) and learn a few phrases!!

http://www.omniglot.com/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/
http://www.linguanaut.com/

"If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and ignore the people, you might better stay at home" (James Michener)