Get in here, sand-niggers!
Beginner's tips: Read your letters multiple times per day (press "L").
First time players should play as the bachelor.
Food won't infect you or spoil.
Unless it shows up in your quest log, anything Eva asks you to do is just flavor text.
Stock up on food on day 1.
Don't worry too much about sidequests, focus on the main quests.
Talk to the bound characters when they're on the way to where you're going.