Thanks for the encouragement.

What seems to be intimidating is that several sources don't recommend buses, which is my usual way of travelling within the city. I don't like taxis except in a few places, like Singapore. In India, the local colleague didn't recommend buses and looking at the buses, it seemed like good advice. The autorickshaw drivers never (in my experience) spoke English and couldn't read Roman alphabet. Even the hotel soap wrapper with the hotel's address was of no use because it was in English. Once, I had to direct the driver on how to get there using monkey language (grunts) and telling him where to turn. I think that this might be the same in China. Bottom line: I can do it and with some practice, I can remember how to get where I need to go if I've been there before (or returning back to the hotel).

Food-wise, my Hungary experience was a bit shameful. Ok, it was 15 years ago. But I survived on bringing my own food from Austria and eating out only once in the 2 days I was there. Maybe I can learn to read a few words and write them so that I can ask for noodle dishes, chicken or beef, etc.

I think I can do it. If so, it will be country #42 for me (average count, 37 by the strictest definition, 45 by the loosest... Is East Germany a country? How about the Isle of Jersey, which is not part of the UK? Does an airport terminal count? )