Traveling is not only getting from one place to another – it is a state of mind. It is an opportunity to grow and enrich your spirit, mind and personality. You will return home and regale your friends with tales of talking with the locals and amazing sites. However, there is really no good reason to go full nomad and ignore the benefits of this day and age. We are going to talk about some of the pieces of technology you should have on your person at all times, especially while traveling, and we are going to cover why this is important.
Mobile Devices
Seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Eiffel Tower, or Lady Liberty is all fine and well, but while you are on the road you also need entertainment. Personally, I am a gamer. I like playing poker and other online games. There are always new promotions and offers that can be used if you just have your smartphone with you.
Entertainment is not the only reason mobile devices are great. You can check out maps, GPS, local taxi companies, hotels and hostels. Basically, you can use your phone or tablet as a convenient and connected computer. You can make reservations, take photos, quickly calculate the time it takes to reach your destination, see where the exchange rate is the most suitable and say ‘Hi’ to your family. Just make sure you pack a charger and a power bank.
Travel Adaptors
If you are going to visit another country, or even another continent, what you need is a travel adaptor. Why is that? Well, as you may, or may not know, different countries have different electrical sockets. Without a travel adaptor, you are likely to miss out on using your electronics altogether, or be in an awkward position of explaining to the hotel manager why the socket blew up.
Internet
Many of you may be wondering: ‘Why should I bring a device that allows me to connect to the internet, when there is a combination of Wi-Fi and my mobile data that is available to me?’ The thing is, when you travel abroad, mobile data costs extra. You might get a nasty surprise at the end of the month when the phone bill arrives. When it comes to Wi-Fi, of course you should use it whenever possible, but these days free Wi-Fi networks offer a limited amount of time, or require you to log in a complicated fashion. These hotspots are also not always secure, so if you get a chance to buy a gadget that’ll help you carry your net with you, you should do so.
Earphones or Headphones
They are good for not bothering other people and perfect for other people not bothering you. If you want to listen to a broadcast, a podcast, some music, or the latest sports scores (to make sure that your bet is A-Okay), earphones and headphones are the way to go – especially if they are the noise cancelling kind. Drown out the world around you and relax.