hi!

my wife and i are planning to do the appalachian trail, but we still arn't fixed on a date.

i have so many questions to ask, being as i don't live in the US, and don't have a clue about where to begin.

i'd be very greatful if someone could answer my questions:

roughly how much money do you spend a day on average on the trail?
what about food?
approximately once in how many days do you reach a grocery store?
what about water?
how many bottles do you need to carry?
can you drink water from the streams along the trail?
can you sleep out in a tent or do you have to go to the campsites?
do you have to pay to use the cabins?
is there cellphone reception/ some way to contact a ranger in case something happens?
do you have to pay to enter the national parks you walk through?
do you need any special gear?
is it safe? is a group of two people too small?
if i were to do only half- which is the most beautiful part of the trail?
do you need a map? if so, where can you buy one?

thank you very much