Stay In Touch
Staying in touch on the road can be difficult if you are constantly on the move. International calling can get expensive, and sometimes cellphones don’t work in every area; however there are many ways to stay in touch without spending a lot of money. Here are a few tips to consider while traveling.
Calling Cards
Calling Cards are fairly cheap if you get the right one. Some have a high connection fee and a better rate per minute, while others have no connection fee and a higher rate per minute. If you won’t be using your calling card for long phone conversations, it’s best to buy the one without a connection fee. Calling cards are helpful to have on hand since most places, in particular big cities, have public telephones with calling card capabilities. Calling cards are especially useful and inexpensive if you are in each destination for a short period of time.
Making Calls Over The Internet
Skype is a very helpful tool for anyone on the road or living away from home. It is a software that offers the possibility to talk, chat, and video chat for free with others who have a Skype account. You aren’t limited to only calling other members. You can call landlines or cellphones internationally from your computer for a very low rate. Google Talk and MSN Messenger also allow you to make calls over the internet. Like Skype you need only download the software and then you are able to talk to someone using the same software. Unlike Skype you cannot call a traditional phone line. Before you travel make sure to tell your friends and family to sign up for any of these accounts, that way you can talk to them for free, whenever you have access to a computer.
Cell Phones
A cellphone is the best way to keep in contact with fellow travelers and people you meet at your new destination, however it may not be the best choice for contacting those back home. It is often very expensive to use a cellphone for international calls. Although there are ways to get around the fees. Some countries have plans, such as free incoming calls (even international) and pay as you go, which may be a good option if you want a number available for people to reach you. It pays to research the cellphone plans of your destination to see if any are worth buying. Most Americans will find that they are unable to use their cell phones abroad because of blocked pins, in which case you will have to purchase a cellphone with a SIM card. Since most of the world, besides the United States, works on the same network, it makes it easier to buy a cell phone at your destination and not in the US.
Internet Cafes
Internet Cafes are a haven for most travelers, in particular those on a budget. Most internet cafes have phone booths in which you can make local or international calls. You will notice that many tourist destinations have lots of internet cafes and cyber cafes. They will come in handy and are very affordable. Most hostels and hotels have computers available but often times there are only a couple available, and there will be people waiting to use them. Internet cafes or more convenient because you can use the computer for as long as you like. They are also a great resource for people who would like to upload photographs. Many cafes also offer the option to upload your photographs on a dvd for safe keeping, as well as giving you more space on your camera.
Email and Social Networks
The obvious way keep in touch with loved ones back home is through email. You can send out individual or mass emails to let people know that you are safe and enjoying your travels. Social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace also provide a way to keep in touch. Through your tweets or status updates (which are a few sentences that describe what you are doing at the moment) you can tell people about your whereabouts. Twitter has become increasingly popular with travelers who use their network to gain advice from fellow travelers. If you would like to find a cheap restaurant in Florence with tasty food, send a tweet and wait for others to respond.
Blog
Many people start blogs before they go on the road. Not only is it a great way to keep in touch with family and friends, it’s a great way to make new contacts with travelers like yourself. By reading other blogs, you get a first hand account of travel tips. By starting your own blog you have the opportunity to provide helpful advice to other travelers. Some free blogging services include Wordpress, Blogger, LiveJournal, and Typepad. Typepad offers a free trial period, but you have to pay for hosting after the period is over. If you prefer to make your blog private, you can always change the settings so only people who you approve can read its content.
