Learning a Language is Hard

As a part of getting ready for this journey I think it's probably a good idea that I learn at least elementary levels of certain languages. Well I have started with two relatively easy ones in French and Spanish and I think I'm doing alright until I try to speak to a native speaker. They tell me I'm doing alright but they say it in the same way that someone would talk to a baby. So I suppose if worse comes to worse I'll just need a baby to translate for me...

Also, I was thinking about getting the rosetta stone packages for Spanish and French and then I realized for the $1400 (this is not an error, $1400, as in fourteen hundred) I could fly to Europe and spend some time in France and Spain and learn the language that way. How's that for total immersion.

Oh well in the meantime I'll work with the books and CD's I have and hope people I know who know a language will put up with my shenanigans. Sailing starts soon, or so they say, it's still pretty cool here but I can't wait. I'm expecting to knock off a couple of certifications this year and get a TON of experience.

As always if you have any ideas on where to go, school systems to work with, or things to do along the way please let me know.

Cheers,
Eric