learning a new language

[hertz]

Thanks for all your suggestions. Spanish looks to be the right choice.

(Although comments like "Castillian Spanish will get you funny looks in Mexico" and "Puerto Rican Spanish...that's a WHOLE new ballgame" have me a bit freaked out.)

I think that I'll enrol in a TAFE (community college?) course that teaches introductory Spanish. Better than a book, and probably a good way to meet up with a few like minded individuals.