Switching from Everquest F2P to Project 1999

[Microfin]

Hello everyone, I'm looking for some guidance.
Here is the basic run down...

• I played EQ back in 2000. I had a level 23 High Elf Magician, and level 20 Troll Warrior
• Thanks to my older brother I got a lot of really cool stuff I shouldn't have had (Stein of Maggok, FBSS)
• I recently contacted Sony and managed to get my old account back. Surge of happiness seeing my old characters again
• Played Everquest F2P for a bit, confused by a lot of what I saw, old zones I used to go to are totally empty
• To get myself back into the groove, I created a new character and played through the kobald mine tutorial. Discovered the map feature, quest log, etc...

That's when I found out about Project 1999. All the people who played in 1999-2001 say It's WAY better and seem to think the current EQ incarnation is kinda... trashy. I just gave Project 1999 a shot, and, It's pretty cool, but is it wrong to feel totally lost?

Just today I started a Dark Elf Necromancer, opened up my inventory and found a note I'm supposed to give to Xon Quexill. I spent 30 minutes randomly wandering around Neriak until finally giving up and Googling the guy's location. I didn't think about it at the time, but I realize now my older brother guided my 12 year old self through everything and I really don't know crap about EQ, and probably never did!

So I guess my main question for you veterans is, how do fresh players know where to go and find things? Should I just play P 1999 and alt tab every few minutes to find whatever vendor has the spell I need? I keep thinking this is the wrong way to play the game and I'm missing something, so I'd love some advice.