I think Kumiko's story could happen if you're absolutely wrong about how far the places in the word could be. I'va an advice for here: You must study geography!
Misunderstandings
Yers ago, during a journey in Hungary I went to a market to buy a typical "foie gras" of the area. Nobody spoke English , French, Spanish or Catalan and it was impossible for me to explain what kind of food I liked to buy. I imitated the sound and movements of a goose and they understood me eventually. It sounds ridiculous but is absolutely true.