Setting A Variable From A Select Box Before Function Run?

I have a google map which gives directions in different languages based on a select box selection. Google gives directions in English as a default, and if you make the selection AFTER the directions are displayed, then it changes languages. All good so far.

But if you make the language selection first, it still displays in English and then you have to select your option again. What I'd like is to say be able to choose "Italian" and for the directions to come up in Italian on the first hit.

My test page is here (http:[url]...) - you can click on "to here" or "from here" and enter "alyzia, greece" in the input box to see what I mean. I'll post the relevant bits of code below, too. locale is the variable the API uses for language selection.

var to_htmls = [];
var from_htmls = [];
var locale;[code]....