The tech

It's embarrassing to say, but a sign of the times, that a big part of this trip is attention and devotion to technology. Each of us now has a cell phone. Three of the four of us have laptops. We have an ipad. Among us, we have 9 devices that connect to the internet. Each of these gadgets was chosen and justified for a specific reason.

Kiki + cell and laptop + bike lighting = business, meditation, blogging, communication, entertainment.
Tracy + cell phone + laptop + iPad + Garmin computer + bike lighting + DVD player + battery pack = work, communication, blogging, reading, yoga, research for trip.
Lief + cell phone + laptop + bike lighting = school work, photos, communication.
Sol + cell phone + bike lighting = not being left out, photos

Of course, all this requires space, our attention, electricity, and not insignificantly - cords. Now that we're settled for awhile in our first location for some time, all of this tech is now spread out like a small explosion, with bits here and there. 

Communication: 
Public wifi has permeated most public spaces. It's nearly a human right. The rule of law, freedom of thought, clean water, electricity and wifi. Kiki continues to use her cell from home with its 250-637 number. She is "internationally roaming", meaning paying for always on access to all cell networks in Europe. Having the Sun Studio remain open obligates her to stay connected in this way.

​After a disconnected week (cell data, not wifi!), Tracy is now connected again with a Europe-wide phone company through Vodafone. This required emails with Telus to unlock the phone, challenging conversations with various companies, much online research... In the end, Vodafone had the nicest logo.  Tracy now has a +351 number, Portuguese country code. Whether he can receive calls from Canada or not is a mystery.