Keeping in Touch
Keeping the folks back home happy!
There is nothing to replace the good old postcard, so make sure you budget money for sending plenty of these, as well as the required postage – you’ll enjoy those pretty foreign stamps later on too and delight younger relatives who may keep a collection. Your friends and loved ones at home will be happy (though envious) to receive postcards, and when you return you can look at them and relive all those happy memories. Sorry to be a downer, but they are also a good investment as mementos in case your camera should get stolen!
We know you are on holiday and don’t want to keep up with depressing news. However, in the event there are any situations or disasters such as terrorism attacks or plane crashes in your part of the world, do remember to get in touch with your family to reassure them that you are okay.
The website www.escapeartist.com has a useful telephone search engine and online directory where you can look up any phone number or country code in the world. It also gives you numbers and links to embassies
Cyber Cafes are now in many parts of the world, so you can go online and email your loved ones about your progress – and your safety
Many technology-savvy gap year travelers are now turning to blogging as they travel instead of emailing everyone individually. This is also a great way to keep your diary and photos updated and available for all to see.
The most popular method for staying in touch, of course, is the mobile phone. Check out www.e2save.com for cheap mobile phones.
You are able to call from abroad by using ’international roaming.’ Contact your mobile phone network provider well in advance of your departure to make sure that your phone is set up for international roaming calls. Not all phones will work outside Europe. Find out approximate charges you will incur for using the roaming service and budget for this. Ask your provider if they have any special packages to allow for lower costs for calling internationally. Also find out whether you should use a different SIM card in your phone or whether you should purchase one for foreign networks during your travels.
Most important, make sure you have a procedure in place to enable you to top-up your credit along the way. Find out if any special codes will need to be used to dial from abroad for international roaming, as services may vary.
Program your phone in advance with important numbers, as well as the numbers for your nearest British Embassy, Consulate or High Commission in the countries you plan to visit. It is also a good idea to program in the numbers for your hotels and travel companions. Keep a written copy of all your numbers also as a back-up, and leave a copy of it at home with friends or family.
Also keep a separate note of the serial number of your mobile phone and the customer service number. In the event your phone is stolen you will be able to contact them to have your phone and SIM card blocked. Some security systems require a password so make sure you have all that in place before you set off on your trip. Remember to take your charger and electrical adaptors!
