I left the iPhone at home on purpose. I didn't bring my laptop. Which if you think about it are two pretty ballsy moves in this day and age. Theoretically I would only be able to make calls or texts from my crappy Colombian prepaid phome, with no internet capability whatsoever, and only be able to type or use the internt from internet cafes.
And I so regret it.
I wanted to break my technology addiction. I wanted to be forced to live in the moment. I also wanted to be safe, because I was afraid to backpack with a Macbook, an obviously coveted item, in a country where robbery is a big problem.
Unfortunately, the only thing I really achieved was causing myself a huge inconvenience.
I need it to keep in touch with friends and family back home through Skype calls and Facebook messaging, as opposed to paying for expensive international calls.
I need it to type because I write much better when I type, and writing by hand is tedious and inefficient.
I need it to find places to go and their addresses. Because sure, you can just wander and find what you find, but that's only great up to an extent-- it's really nice to be able to look at reviews and find information much more easily. (I have recently been employing the ask-random-people method when I want to find something and I don't know where it is, and let me tell you, I do not recommend it).
I need it to plan my travels. Gone are the days of just showing up to a hostel or a tour and booking the day of: there will not be availability. Travelers these days are linked to the internet and that's just how it is. Not to mention that a lack of research pretty much just leads to paying more for things that you could have found for cheaper.
I need it to message the people I meet here. Yes, we can text, but that costs money.
Internet cafes cost money too.
I need it to do my college applications. I need it to check my email. I need it to upload photos, post this blog, and translate things for when hand gestures and roundabout explanations just don't cut it.
I give myself a pat on the back for the attempt, but lesson learned: iPhone, not vital. Computer with internet: not technically vital, but beyond helpful and convenient. If I had just brought my laptop, I would have saved myself a lot of time and money.
OCT. 11
And I so regret it.
I wanted to break my technology addiction. I wanted to be forced to live in the moment. I also wanted to be safe, because I was afraid to backpack with a Macbook, an obviously coveted item, in a country where robbery is a big problem.
Unfortunately, the only thing I really achieved was causing myself a huge inconvenience.
I need it to keep in touch with friends and family back home through Skype calls and Facebook messaging, as opposed to paying for expensive international calls.
I need it to type because I write much better when I type, and writing by hand is tedious and inefficient.
I need it to find places to go and their addresses. Because sure, you can just wander and find what you find, but that's only great up to an extent-- it's really nice to be able to look at reviews and find information much more easily. (I have recently been employing the ask-random-people method when I want to find something and I don't know where it is, and let me tell you, I do not recommend it).
I need it to plan my travels. Gone are the days of just showing up to a hostel or a tour and booking the day of: there will not be availability. Travelers these days are linked to the internet and that's just how it is. Not to mention that a lack of research pretty much just leads to paying more for things that you could have found for cheaper.
I need it to message the people I meet here. Yes, we can text, but that costs money.
Internet cafes cost money too.
I need it to do my college applications. I need it to check my email. I need it to upload photos, post this blog, and translate things for when hand gestures and roundabout explanations just don't cut it.
I give myself a pat on the back for the attempt, but lesson learned: iPhone, not vital. Computer with internet: not technically vital, but beyond helpful and convenient. If I had just brought my laptop, I would have saved myself a lot of time and money.
OCT. 11
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