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How much Spanish do you need to know? How much Spanish do you need to know?
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Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #1  
Old 6 Jul 2003
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Motor Racing Capitol of the World
Posts: 51
How much Spanish do you need to know?
It may be a while before I make it. Hopefully sooner than later. But, I've always thought Mexico would be a nice place to go.

I wonder how good your language skills need to be? I know the tourista areas wouldn't be a problem but what about BAja etc?

I took classes over 10 years ago and spent a few winters around Miami and can be speak a poquito. BUt, very far from conversational.
I feel I have an obligation to learn some, just wondering how much studying I need to do.

Thanks in advance,
Todd BEllew
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Thank You,
Todd Bellew
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  #2  
Old 8 Jul 2003
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Location: Boulder, Colorado, USA
Posts: 35
Todd,
Baja is very much a tourist area and no doubt you can get by there without too much Spanish. The same goes for many other places you might want to visit with your bike: Copper Canyon, for example. Having said that, I recommend you work on it a bit, I think you will have a much easier time and certainly much more fun time if you are at least moderately conversational. You can then talk to the locals for fun and to make yourself understood better.
Although I met travellers bumming around Latin America who couldn't say a single word in Spanish and did just fine, I recommend you roll up your sleeves and work on the Spanish before you head down there. You'll be glad you did. I was.
Arne
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  #3  
Old 28 Jul 2003
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Location: Stewart(S-Central) Minnesota USA
Posts: 105
Go for it.
When you pull into a gas station, they know you want gas. Go into a motel? They know you need a room. Hold up one finger for one person or two fingers for two.
The more you learn the more you'll enjoy, but don't let the lack of the language keep you at home watching TV.
Have fun.....
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  #4  
Old 28 Jul 2003
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Location: Eureka, CA USA
Posts: 323
mas cervesa- more

donde esta el bano- where is the bathroom

Thats all I ever needed.

actually lots of people speak english there unless you get deep into Mexico. Take a course at the local community collage if possable and you will know plenty to get around anywhere. If you don't know any you can always get by.

------------------
John
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John
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  #5  
Old 29 Jul 2003
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Location: La Mesa /San Diego,caUSA
Posts: 49
You probably have enough spanish to get by. I live in San Diego and have traveled through out Baja with very little spanish. We dirt bike in Northern Baja frequently and pre-run/ride the Baja 1000 Pininusla corse every year. Following the dirt highways, when you get pass San Felipi or Santo Thomas you will find villages where spanish is the only language. Hand signals usually work for the simple things. I had trouble relaying an injury but that's another story.

Dont,t be afraid. You'll be able to figure it out.

------------------
Rocket
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  #6  
Old 31 Jul 2003
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Location: Harpers Ferry, WV,USA
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I just returned from 30 days through Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. I speak virtually no Spanish. Although I spent a lot of time away from "tourist areas" I never had a problem

Bob
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