Travelling Without Gadgets
By Jabo
@jaboUK (64354)
United Kingdom
June 7, 2016 6:17am CST
I've been reading about how worried @fishtiger58 is about her son travelling overseas, and I pointed out to her how lucky she is to have the latest communication gadgets. She could track his flight and knew that he had landed safely.
When my son and daughter started travelling some 25 years ago, things were very different. All they took with them were a backpack with a few clothes and toiletries, and a camera. They didn't even have mobile phones (cell phones), and we had to rely on letters or postcards, and the very rare landline call.
Sometimes we didn't hear anything from them for weeks, and only had a vague idea where they were.
They usually didn't travel together, but were doing so in South America at the time of my father's death. It was 6 weeks before they emerged from the hinterland and eventually called home via a public call box. Of course their grandfather was long dead and buried by then, so there was no point in them rushing home.
When they go off nowadays, (and they still do), there is instant communication via the phones that are always with them, and Skype etc. This makes for great peace of mind, especially if there should be a family emergency.
So if your young ones are off on their travels, just be grateful that you have the means to know exactly where they are, and that you can easily get hold of them if necessary.
Photo from Pixabay.
63 people like this
66 responses
@silvermist (19702)
• India
7 Jun 16
@jaboUK Today we are lucky we can know where each of our dear ones are when they are travelling.Also in an emergency we can contact them.Yes,I remember the times of letters and landline phones.
6 people like this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
8 Jun 16
@jaboUK Yes that is a real Blessing of modern times.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
7 Jun 16
@silvermist It's a great peace of mind now to know that I can get hold of my children instantly if necessary.
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
7 Jun 16
it is so much harder to get lost and out of touch now - sadly I rather like the idea of vanishing for a stretch at times
4 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
7 Jun 16
@arthurchappell Me too actually, and I did my share of doing just that when I was young. However your perspective changes when you become a parent.
I feel a bit sorry for the children now - always on that invisible leash connecting them to their parents. They don't have the freedom we did, do they?
I feel a bit sorry for the children now - always on that invisible leash connecting them to their parents. They don't have the freedom we did, do they?2 people like this
@Juliaacv (51011)
• Canada
7 Jun 16
The days of no cellphones or internet and paper folded maps and postcards are among my finest memories. When my parents began travelling, that was their way of going, and phonecalls were few and far between, and always collect calls, because they would be staying in a hotel. I don't know that todays gadgets enhance travelling any, the older way was interesting and made for some good story-telling.
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
7 Jun 16
@Juliaacv I always told my youngsters to call collect, but they hardly ever did. It was pretty expensive in those days, but that wouldn't have worried me, I would just have loved to hear from them. Fortunately my daughter was an excellent letter writer - I still have those letters. My son wasn't half so good, but that's boys for you.
3 people like this
@Juliaacv (51011)
• Canada
7 Jun 16
@jaboUK My parents used to travel with another couple, and they would take turns calling home, and when the other couple called home, their daughter would call me and relay the information and I'd in turn call my brothers. One year I bought them a phone card to use, but they found it too confusing, so I was always ready to accept a collect call, of course that was a long time ago, before the days of cellphones and still in the days when you were concerned and wanted to stay somewhat in touch with your family when they were gone for a few months.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
7 Jun 16
@Juliaacv When I took students to Europe my daughter was very young. Sometimes she came along, but mostly not. So I left hidden "love notes" in her room, her clothing and other places for her to find while I was gone. She loved them.
4 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
7 Jun 16
That must have been nerve-wracking for you, not hearing from them for so long. Progress in communication has improved so much!
3 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
8 Jun 16
@jaboUK I admire your non-worrier status, as I am the opposite.
2 people like this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
8 Jun 16
@JamesHxstatic I am a terrible worrier too.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
8 Jun 16
It is nice to be able to keep in touch when we are overseas although sometimes these modern things can keep you available too much.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
9 Jun 16
@garymarsh6 The internet is so expensive on board that I never bothered with it - just used an internet cafe on shore if I felt like it.
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
8 Jun 16
@garymarsh6 That's true - sometimes it's best to be out of reach
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
8 Jun 16
@jaboUK It was lovely on the cruise because no one could contact me for 3 days at first! A relief to be honest.
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
7 Jun 16
I remember those days of not knowing where they were. Although I don't own a cell phone I will admit we are looking into one...all my kids and friends have them so if I'm with any of them i can call home if needed...
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
7 Jun 16
@PainsOnSlate I have a cell phone but don't use it too much. It's handy for when you are out and about and want to get in touch with someone. However it was, and is still, very useful for texting when the youngsters are abroad. It's not always possible to Skype.
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
8 Jun 16
@jaboUK I use my iPad to text my children, so much faster than email too.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
7 Jun 16
While everything you say is true, the wonderful instant communication devices we have now only make it annoying when parents/grandparents do not hear from their children or grandchildren. It's odd too, because in many cases there is no discord involved. There is no reason for the children or grandchildren to stay out of touch. I guess it's the old adage, out of sight, out of mind.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
7 Jun 16
@ElizabethWallace I understand what you are saying too Elizabeth (do I gather that your own family don't keep in touch as much as you like?), but I don't know if I'd like to be a child in this age - it must be like being on the end of an invisible leash. We had a lot more freedom when I was a child.
But the instant communication that's possible when our young adults travel to far away places is a real boon.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
8 Jun 16
@ElizabethWallace I'm really sorry that they don't keep in touch with you, that must be really hurtful.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
8 Jun 16
@jaboUK Exactly, but it isn't that they do not communicate as often as I would like. They do not communicate hardly at all. they go several months without any contact, even if I try to call, email, or text, zip response.
If they behaved in a more civilized manner, as they were taught, then you would be correct that communication while travelling would be wonderful.
2 people like this
@puddleglum (1380)
• United States
9 Jun 16
The last international trip I took was a two week trip to Africa with a small group. Many of us did not take our cell phones and it was rather liberating, to be honest. I called my mom from the hotel once, and she didn't seem overly anxious. Nevertheless, these gadgets do make staying connected while traveling easier, in general.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
9 Jun 16
@puddleglum I agree that there is a certain freedom about not being 'connected', but modern communications are great if there is an emergency.
i should think that your trip to Africa was wonderful - I've never been there.
1 person likes this
@puddleglum (1380)
• United States
9 Jun 16
@jaboUK You're right, technology is very useful in emergencies.
I would like to go to Africa again. I loved the people I met there, especially the children. They were so lively and curious.
2 people like this
@ilocosboy (45156)
• Philippines
7 Jun 16
yah it's true in this generations is very different now,before no gadgets and hard to reach our relatives and friends.but for now is so easy due to our technology.yes i always told my kids to bring with them there cellphone so that we can reach them especially in emergency
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
7 Jun 16
@ilocosboy It is great that we have the technology nowadays, especially in emergencies.
2 people like this
@ilocosboy (45156)
• Philippines
7 Jun 16
@jaboUK 
tha's true but sometimes it's not good because many people are not using it in good
tha's true but sometimes it's not good because many people are not using it in good2 people like this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
8 Jun 16
yes things have changed so much as far as keeping track of how people are.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
8 Jun 16
@bunnybon7 It's a completely different world now, thanks to all this technology.
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
8 Jun 16
Yes it really is much easier to communicate these days isn't it. I remember trying to find a phone booth in the country in England to call home and make sure the kids, who were young adults were all well.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
9 Jun 16
@jaboUK Yes it was, it is hard to believe that it was only 25 years ago, seems like another time.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
8 Jun 16
@BelleStarr What a hassle it used to be too - you had to go through an operator, and it was very expensive for international calls.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50262)
• United States
7 Jun 16
The world has changed so much and brought such conveniences.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
7 Jun 16
@Tampa_girl7 Communication is one of the best things about technology, isn't it?
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
7 Jun 16
yes ma'am, there's lots'f advantages to these new-fangled thingies - keepin' track'f family members whilst they're wanderin' 'round does keep one a tad less worried. most sad that they missed yer dad's passin', yer correct, no need to hurry home'f that length'f time'd passed.
's fer gettin' 'hold'f those young'uns, if'n ya don't text mine ('n i don't text) they're prone to not answerin'...nor callin' back.
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
7 Jun 16
@jaboUK no worries, dear friend. i've grown used to such. the youngest calls when he needs somethin', i've been thinkin' 'f changin' my number 
the daughter calls quite oft since she moved to nevada.
the daughter calls quite oft since she moved to nevada.2 people like this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
7 Jun 16
indeed, mobile phones are our means of communication to our love ones now
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
7 Jun 16
@ridingbet Yes, they make things so easy, don't they?
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
7 Jun 16
@jaboUK yes. during the time that i worked in Kuwait, snail mails and telegrams were my means of communicating with my love ones st home.
1 person likes this
