It is amazing to me how reliant our society has become on telephone and internet service. Since have been in Kampala, I have felt a bit unsettled because I haven't had consistent internet access and no great way to get in touch with anyone. We live in a high-speed, electronic age, and even going a couple of hours (let alone a couple of days) without internet access seems to be vey difficult for most of us (myself included).
I didn't know what to expect regarding connectivity when I arrived in Uganda. Uganda (or at last Kampala) is a quite modern and connected city, much more advanced than I had expected. Almost everyone here has (often multiple) cells phones. Internet access is a bit more scarce, but most people who have a computer get internet access via a USB modem. It is quite convenient. This, however, posed a problem for me, as I only came to Uganda with my iPad, which has no USB port. That makes it difficult. While I have had intermittent internet access via the HVO apartment, it is not always convenient to have to pick up my stuff and take it up to the other house to get on the internet. Plus, I did not want to inconvenience the guests up there by always being around and being a nuisance. I was bound and determined to remedy this situation once and for all...
Today was my first day out of the hospital, and it was my main mission to figure out how I could stay connected with people both here, in Uganda, and at home. We took a trip to Garden City, which is an area quite close to the hospital with a ton of very modern shops and restaurants. There is a store there, called Orange, which has become my new favorite store. I went there with dual purposes. One: To purchase a cell phone and minutes to stay in touch with people here and in case of emergencies (never had one before on any of my travels and wasn't feeling super strongly about getting one, but everyone seemed to think I was crazy for not having a phone, so I caved...). Two: Find a way to connect the iPad to the internet. I did not leave disappointed. It was like Christmas in March (except for the fact that I was footing the bill for my presents...)!
After the kind people helped me set up my wifi, I rushed home with my presents to admire them. And imagine my excitement when I got my first text message!! (Not to mention the fact that I am now sitting on the bed in my room in the Guest House and I have internet!)
I agree, it's a bit crazy that I am half way around the world, in a developing country, and this technology is so relatively easy to come by. But I'm certainly happy it was!
I didn't know what to expect regarding connectivity when I arrived in Uganda. Uganda (or at last Kampala) is a quite modern and connected city, much more advanced than I had expected. Almost everyone here has (often multiple) cells phones. Internet access is a bit more scarce, but most people who have a computer get internet access via a USB modem. It is quite convenient. This, however, posed a problem for me, as I only came to Uganda with my iPad, which has no USB port. That makes it difficult. While I have had intermittent internet access via the HVO apartment, it is not always convenient to have to pick up my stuff and take it up to the other house to get on the internet. Plus, I did not want to inconvenience the guests up there by always being around and being a nuisance. I was bound and determined to remedy this situation once and for all...
Today was my first day out of the hospital, and it was my main mission to figure out how I could stay connected with people both here, in Uganda, and at home. We took a trip to Garden City, which is an area quite close to the hospital with a ton of very modern shops and restaurants. There is a store there, called Orange, which has become my new favorite store. I went there with dual purposes. One: To purchase a cell phone and minutes to stay in touch with people here and in case of emergencies (never had one before on any of my travels and wasn't feeling super strongly about getting one, but everyone seemed to think I was crazy for not having a phone, so I caved...). Two: Find a way to connect the iPad to the internet. I did not leave disappointed. It was like Christmas in March (except for the fact that I was footing the bill for my presents...)!
After the kind people helped me set up my wifi, I rushed home with my presents to admire them. And imagine my excitement when I got my first text message!! (Not to mention the fact that I am now sitting on the bed in my room in the Guest House and I have internet!)
I agree, it's a bit crazy that I am half way around the world, in a developing country, and this technology is so relatively easy to come by. But I'm certainly happy it was!
Now you can feel more comfortable.
ReplyDeleteYou weren't the only one footing the bill for Christmas in March!
ReplyDeleteGlad I'll get to talk to you more, though!
Love,
Half Santa