One thing I remember from 10 years ago is the concept that internet access can be limited to a number of users. We used to save every few minutes, then programs began to auto save. So now, using a recent program or application can be minor disaster. Especially if it saves before you have gone back to check the weird and fantastic changes autocorrect has decided that you wanted to use. Compounding this is the challenge of diminishing electrify. All part of the adventure. Here, effectively, if you have access, it may stay, or you may be randomly bumped by a new user. So, mid sentence, everything could disappear into a black hole. And it doesn't matter how close to the routers you sit.
Ah, wifi! So if you find a cafe with decent internet, grab it. Who cares what the coffee tastes like, stay. New Orleans Cafe in Kathmandu was an exception. It had good coffee, apple pie, and strong wifi.
Last night I read a blog from a young woman who is volunteering in Africa. I am not sure where. At one stage she was questioning how effective her day had been. She thought that her time could be bette spent supporting adults rather than teaching a class of 4-6 year olds. I have thought the same thing (being a secondary teacher and all). She commented on trying to look at ways to recycle when the village did not have any bins. This morning I talked with a couple from the UK who have a Steripen that disinfects 500ml of water in 49 seconds (not 50 I note, but 49 - I read the label). They can take water from a stream, or a local tap, zap it and it's 99.9% OK. Not the same as boiling for 4 minutes,but a real saving on the number of plastic bottles we go through. But it requires charging with a USB connection. I wonder how long the charge lasts? And if it has a solar connection.
This hotel has 5 solar panels on the roof. And a huge battery system.
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