In the past preparing to leave for a trip of 2 months would have entailed making sure you had organised everything at home so that you could be away for several weeks. You might be busily writing lists of who you need to speak to before you go, organising your finances so that you had money for the trip and pay the bills at home, making sure you pet-care is adequate etc etc.
Not so in this New World..........
It began to dawn on me as I have been preparing to leave for New York in 4 days time...... oh this is different. I don't have to sort finance anymore than to have a linked PayPal account, I don't need to say my last good-byes to the lodgers as I will see them on iChat not long after I land in the States, I don't have to worry about what might come in the post because, Vic and David - the lodgers will just scan our post in everyday and upload it to my .Mac Account!! Superb!!
But most of all... I have never really contemplated an extended trip anywhere because I have dogs!! And I would find it very difficult to be away from my dogs for so long. (Don't worry - they are awaiting their Pets Passport!!) However, this time of course I will still be able to see them and hear them. I can check out in real time how their health is and actually see them as they go about their lives.
So for this trip, rather than put "this life" on hold for 2 months I just need to press a couple of links and it's all organised - here and there!!
And of course, there is also the people that are left at home. Now, instead of worrying if you are ok or not having any idea of where you are or what you are doing... there is iChat. Via iChat or Skype, our loved ones can share the trip with you and know what you are doing and that you are safe. You can send back data and information in real time as it happens.
Ummm... did I say that I think this technology is changing the world.
Well it has certainly changed my world. I have a completely different perspective about this planet now compared to even 2 years ago. Going to the USA would have seemed like something other people did - not me! The whole world now seems close and accessible, first through a video cam and then in reality! And the absolute wonder of this is that all you need is a computer a microphone, speakers, a web cam and a broadband connection....... the rest is free. The calls/connection over iChat is free!!
Who and where will be next after the US? Is it you and your home - where did you say it was in the world?
We are the Apples on the Road!
We are two 50 odd year old women who own, love and use Apple Mac computers. We have met over the Internet, via Apple's IChat. This is the blog of our adventures in virtual and actual reality!!
To follow our adventures, please start at the bottom of this page, where the 1st posts are. Last posts are at the top!