Pilgrimage: Variety Of Prep

Sorry nothing up yesterday and today’s post is a bit short. Lots of things going on in the background, and I’m getting a bit frazzled as things seem to be accelerating faster than planned.

Yesterday, the most time-consuming item so far proved to be getting a new mobile phone. I promised you photos and perhaps even videos from the trip. The only way to do that was to upgrade my senior-citizen special several-years-old mobile to one with good photo and video capability. I got something that I think has a higher number of megapixels capability than the camera I took to Iraq. Amazing what they are doing with the sensors these days in terms of resolution and size. The phone I had wasn’t worth trading in, so I now have a spare at need. Came out right around budget: got a good price on the phone, and picked up a good case, screen protector, and charging system. Sad my old inductance charger doesn’t seem to work with it.

On the good news front, my senior citizen plan (which is actually grandfathered) has basic international roaming. Also, it turns out unlimited data and text means anywhere in the world. As long as I use data and text, I’m good. Calls are reasonable, and using wifi as much as possible is best. So, glad I don’t have to give up my senior citizen plan and can still get things done. Hoping nobody calls, and I plan to use texting a lot more than normal.

My International Driver’s License application is in, though they may make me retake the photo. Didn’t realize until today that there is not a white wall left in this house, and the automated system didn’t like my improvisation. We’ll see.

Ordered my plugs and adapters this morning, should be good on electrical as both laptop and mobile should work on the local current. If worse comes to worse, I can buy a local charger for the mobile there relatively inexpensively. Key will be making sure the laptop is good. Plan to go visit the store here soon to verify a couple of things.

The ScotteVest arrived yesterday and I’m already loving it. 23 pockets and you can effectively make it a Personal Area Network (PAN) I’m told. Do wish the RF-shielded pocket were larger, but it does give me options. More on this as I test it out. If anyone wants to send the jacket it is on the wish list…

The travel chef kit was not quite what I was expecting. Good knives, but the ‘light weight’ cutting board is heavy as all get out. Going to cut down some thin plastic cutting boards to fit, which will change that weight to about three ounces. Which will also allow me to get creative on what goes in that case. May share a picture or two here soon.

Have made the decision to go seriously minimalist on the pilgrimage, which is not how I usually pack for anything. Right now, looking at just minimal clothing, toiletries, and supplements/medicines along with the electronics. I will include some rope or paracord, but aside from that nothing for contingencies. Even looking at minimal on electronics, with just the mobile, laptop, cables, plugs/adapter, and one power pack. I may even decide to ship over the supplements and hair conditioner. Got to decide on that soon.

More soon, and thanks again to everyone who has donated so far. The Bleg has raised about a quarter of the goal, which is fantastic though any and all further help would be very, very much appreciated. Stay tuned, there is more to come.

Please check out my Winter 26 Bleg!

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.