When you’re in an unfamiliar place, you need a mobile phone that is connected to a system so you can call someone, anyone, and so you can have access to Google Maps and an app dedicated to the transit system of your location. If you’re in a foreign country, you probably need Google Translate or another translation app. If you are without this at an inconvenient time you are, as they sing in Spring Awakening, “Totally F—ked.”
But connectivity comes at a price. I have learned it is not enough to plan ahead with your provider to have a plan so you won’t be spending a fortune on minutes and data usage, which you should do. You should also have a mobile Wi-Fi device so you are connected, theoretically, wherever you go. I’d never thought about it before because in the US wherever I stayed had Wi-Fi and there were no usage problems in the US. Here in Germany, my apartment does not have Wi-Fi, something I didn’t focus on until I was walking to my gate in the Houston airport to depart for Berlin. Just about at that moment, I passed a store that sold a portable Wi-Fi. I called Verizon my carrier and although they have a device, I didn’t understand what they told me other than they couldn’t FedEx their device to me. I called my Verizon store and they couldn’t either and I got information that conflicted with the information I got from the Verizon international guy If I had focused on the issue before I was at the airport there is a good chance I would have gotten Verizon’s device. However, I didn’t. I saw a store at the airport and they had a device. I bought a Skyroam for about $120 and that included five free days. Each five days after that would be $40. Single days would be $10. I would figure it out later in Berlin because I had bought a one day, use as much as you want wherever you are arrangement from Verizon that would start when I got to Berlin on July 1. As I came to understand it, Wi-Fi allows you to make calls with WhatsApp (very popular with the Germans I have met), FaceTime and other similar apps over the internet and not using your phone plan I think even if you are staying somewhere that has Wi-Fi, if you are going to be out and about walking and using a transit system, a portable Wi-Fi is certainly something to consider. Ah, but just having it is not enough. It has to be fed and there are not just one thing on its diet, but two. Skyroam coverage sometimes is idiosyncratic, but their support is pretty good.
Be sure to charge your portable Wi-Fi device
Take it with you
Have the service day in effect (watch for when the day has expired and take another day – you can do it on the fly with the device)
Have a portable charger to keep it charged (a long day and the device will lose its charge, so recharge, if possible before it runs out.
Have a Mophie or other portable phone charger to keep your phone charged.
I think it is always a good idea to wear cargo pants or cargo shorts or have some sort of a pack. In addition to the phone, mobile device and charger, I carry a camera, money, credit cards and sometimes a jacket for rain or cooler weather.
And, if you are sometimes unfocused, bring an extra of anything you think is essential – like eye glasses.
Marc's Berlin Diaries 