So maybe time for a new dash of my new favorite tricks when taking on a new place. There is a lot of great info out there on this, and other, sites. If you have any others that you want to add, put them in the comments below!
In no particular order:
- Google the airport you are going to and find out what the WiFi is like and any other Gotchas.
- Smartphone users: unlock/jailbreak your phone before you leave the country. Call your provider if necessary.
- Bring a backup NON-smart phone. Local simcards are usually cheap and can help out a lot when you are stuck.
- Install the google translate app, and download the offline languages for where you will be. Seriously.
- Use Google maps? Download the offline map areas for the cities you will visit. GPS works everywhere and this can save your bacon.
- If you know where you want to visit, save those addresses as Stars in Google Maps. You can find them offline later.
- Don’t overpack. Seriously, don’t do it. You can get anything you need almost anywhere in the world within minutes.
- If you really want to try something out of the ordinary, look up your destination on atlasobscura.com
- If you are going to a foreign country, learn how to say “I don’t speak <insert language here>. Do you speak English?”
- Yes, I’m assuming that you, the reader, speak English.
- Language basics
- Hello / Goodbye
- Where / Where is…
- What / It /Something
- Basic directions i.e. straight / left / right
- Please / Thank you
- I want / need / have / like
- where is an internet cafe?
You need Project Fi. Limited to Nexus phones, but no roaming fees, and no speed limits anymore in 120+ countries. So no need to deal with SIM swaps or getting someone to buy a SIM for you in the few countries that will only sell to citizens.