Keeping in Touch

This item appears on page 70 of the March 2008 issue.

Libraries for Internet

I, like Nancy Tan (Dec. ’07, pg. 54), have had problems finding Internet cafes in the UK.

There is an easy solution that the locals use: go to the public library. I visited the library in Bledington, Oxfordshire in September ’07. It was free, with nice equipment and pleasant people. A big plus — no cigarette smoke!

The only downside to this approach is that UK local libraries are under a severe budget crunch and have limited their hours. Be sure to check the schedule.

GEORGE BYAM

East Grand Rapids, MI

Web access, Scotland

I spend many weeks in Scotland each year (my last visit being in September ’07). I’ve found that almost all public libraries there have free Internet and happily let you use their computers to check and send e-mail.

SHARON AFFELTRANGER

Pacifica, CA

Emergency cell

My wife and I travel overseas a couple of times a year. In the past, we have looked for a computer to check our e-mails, but in 2006 we purchased a Mobal phone (Mobal Communications, New York, NY; 888/888-9162, www.mobal.com). It cost $49 plus $10 for shipping.

It works in 150 countries. The model we have doesn’t work in the U.S., but they offer another model that does work in the U.S. plus in about 30 other countries, mainly in South America.

There are no additional charges until the phone is used. Rates from Europe to the U.S. are in the $1.50-per-minute range, both sending and receiving, so it is mainly useful for emergency calls.

The phone number is in the U.K., so calling the phone from the U.S. is an international call, but if you use any of the Internet phone services it costs less than 3¢ per minute.

It also works for e-mail to and from any computer, with the e-mails sent using text messages (80¢ per 160-character text message).

We feel that having this cell phone with us on a trip is an easy way to be contacted by friends or relatives at home if an emergency should arise while we are gone.

ART DOBSON

Lincoln, NE

Refocusing

Here’s another vote for NOT keeping in touch with the folks back home (Dec. ’07, pg. 54).

Travel to see new places and meet new faces.

Be in the present.

Furthermore, leave that over-400-exposures camera home. Instead, take a notebook and pen and sit down and make a few sketches. You’ll see more, for sure.

NORMA DAVIS

Carmel, CA