Technological Preparations

In recent years I have gone on three significant trips (Machu Picchu with Jesse, Spain and Portugal with Jesse, Laura, Sage and Jasper, Italy with Marley, Brandon and Payton). I each case I realized that some form of role reversal had occurred, namely my kids were the parents and I was the kid. On reflection, this feeling came from the fact that on all those trips they were very adept at using their phones and the internet to do almost anything (including  making reservations, finding accommodation, finding the local pastry shops or winding our way through the mazes of old-town streets).

So, I realize that I need to get myself into the 21st century as much as possible for this trip (I hereby affirm that I will stop calling it the “Interweb”). So here is some of the technology that I am trying to cope with:

Uber

I have now downloaded Uber on to my phone. It looks easy to use and my niece who recently visited Lisbon said that she found it easy to use and affordable for getting around there. I will have tried one experimental run prior to the trip.

Airalo

Not being adept at using my cell phone, I have inadvertently incurred roaming charges while travelling. I now have the Airalo app on my phone. This app will allow me to purchase “data” at a very reasonable rate for use in Portugal and Spain. So, I will be able to access the interweb (oops!) and use Whatsapp even if I do not have access to wifi while on the walk.

I already use Whatsapp a lot to communicate with my family and I am still amazed that I can make toll free calls through this app. The Tour group will be using Whatsapp to communicate with the group. So, I may need the data for this and/or for updating this website.

Google Maps

My plan is to familiarize myself with how to use this app before the trip. The tour will be using it and Whatsapp to “pin” destinations for the group including, most importantly, where the picnic lunches will be located (remember I am not being expected to lose weight). I expect to also use it to be able to find my way around the various towns/cities when I am on my own.

Google Translate

I will be putting this app on my phone as well to help me with communication. Four months ago I planned on learning some Portugese and/or Spanish (you can imagine how that went). Apparently, this app will allow me to ask questions and interpret answers as well as help with pronunciation. (At the moment, all I can pronounce properly is “Bom Camino”.

Hardware

The list of equipment I am brining is not insignificant:

• Cell Phone;
• Cell Phone charging cables and charging cables for tablet;
• Cell Phone Battery Charger;
• Charging cable for my Garmin Watch;
• Charger for my hearing aids;
• tablet for writing and some photos;
• separate portable keyboard for my tablet;
• Converter for electricity; and
• my Kindle.