We're having a very wintry and frosty day here, in Prague, this morning. The current temperature is -9 C/16 F, and the weathermen say we're experiencing a freezing fog. Looking out the window, I can confirm the freezing fog. Mornings like this make me want to curl up under the covers and read away the day. However, I have work to get done, so no reading the day away today.
Every so often I like to tell you about gizmos that help expats. Today, I'd like to tell you about a gizmo that has literally changed and enhanced my expat life. This gadget was a birthday present, and I now have almost 6 months experience using it daily.
Love my Kindle
I have the version of the Kindle known as Kindle 2nd generation. This Kindle version offers GSM technology to connect to Amazon's Whispersync network all around the world. I've used my Kindle in rural parts of the U.S. (including my home in the Rockies of New Mexico), as well as in rural parts of the Czech Republic. The Kindle works great everywhere I've traveled.Kindle's Enhanced my Expat Life
How has this gizmo changed my life? For one, it offers a cheaper way to obtain books in English. English books can be found in Prague, but they are very expensive. However, the Kindle offers many books for the price of $9.99 and up, but also offers access to many free books on Amazon and on other sites such as Project Gutenberg. With it's free GSM (cellular) connection, the Kindle also offers a great and free way to send emails and view the Internet. The Kindle's browser is a simple browser, but does offer a way to connect to your web-based email accounts (Google, Yahoo, etc.), and is great for viewing text-based websites such as Google and others. I've been able to send a quick email to my daughter back in the States while sitting in my doctor's waiting room--for free.The Kindle is also easy to take anywhere. It fits very easily in your purse, backpack or brief case. This e-reader also has a long-lived battery. The battery will hold a charge for up to one week with the wireless connection turned on, or up to two or three weeks with wireless turned off. The Kindle's also easy to recharge either via USB, or wall socket. One last reason I love my Kindle--it's great for people like me who have allergies, asthma and chemical sensitivities.
Recommended Kindle Version
There are a couple of newer versions of the Kindle out now--the Kindle WiFi for and Kindle 3G + WiFi. Both of these would be great, but I would recommend the Kindle 3G + WiFi for expats or travelers, because it offers two wireless ways to connect to Amazon's Whispersync network and the Web.
That's all for today. My next post will tell you about another gadget that has enhanced my expat life.
Have a great day!
God bless,
Sher :0)
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13 comments:
Sher,
You beat me to blog with this one. I've been planning to write about how every expat needs a Kindle. I love it!!
@Christoper: So great to hear from an other American expat here, and another fellow Kindle-lover! :)
Sorry, but you can still write about the Kindle. You can find some other reasons to talk about it being a great thing for expats! :)
Have a great day,
Sher
I need a Kindle! Here are some questions for either of you. I would love to hear if it is worth it to buy the $189 model, or would the $139 model be enough. Do you have to buy your books only from Amazon?
@Karen: I would highly recommend the Kindle 3G + WiFi ($189) because it offers two different ways to connect to the Kindle bookstore. This version of the Kindle offers connect via 3G (cellular) networks, plus a wireless WiFi connection (similar to your laptop). The 3G connection has no contract or fees involved. Connection to the Kindle bookstore or the Internet are completely free.
You should visit the Kindle page at Amazon to see if Turkey's included on the Kindle network. I don't remember right now. But you can read through the Kindle information on the Amazon website.
Hope this helps!
Have a great day,
Sher :0)
Hi Sher, I was glad to find this - one of my children will be spending a semester in Prague and I wasn't sure if a Kindle would even work.
I assume an adapter is needed.....do you recommend a particular kind?
And would the same adapter work for other things: laptop, hairdryer, etc.? I'm realizing I don't even know what I don't know with all this!
@Geri: I did a quick search on Amazon and found two different plug adapters.
The first one (http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Kindle-Power-Adapter-Keyboard/dp/B005DOKG70/ref=amb_link_353115902_3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=left-2&pf_rd_r=0ZNJZWYV8A6PE62XMBWK&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1342297022&pf_rd_i=1268192011) is made especially for the Kindle and will work in the Czech Republic.
The second one (http://www.amazon.com/NETHERLANDS-TWO-ADAPTERS--Description-compatible-countries/dp/B00343NWCS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326658932&sr=8-1) will work for most other electronics.
The Czech Republic uses 230 Volts, 50 Hertz, while the US uses 120 Volts, 60 Hertz. You will need this information for any electronics you plan to use when visiting the Czech Republic.
It is best to buy dual voltage hairdryers, curling irons, etc. Most electronics such as laptops, etc. are made to be dual voltage, which means they can adapt without the addition of a converter.
I should tell you, when I first moved here I had a dual voltage hairdryer and a converter. Even so, the hairdryer ended up burning out. It was very frustrating.
Anyway, I hope this information is helpful for your son or daughter's trip! I hope they have a wonderful time visiting the Czech Republic! Please let me know if there's anything else I can help you with!
Have a great day,
Sher :0)
@Sher - thank you so much! That is great information.
So if I'm understanding correctly, a converter is not needed if the appliance is dual voltage, but an adapter would be, to fit the plugs?
Seems like it would beat lugging a bunch of books there!
Can you also tell me if WIFI is widely available? Coffee shops, etc?
@Sher - thank you so much! That is great information.
So if I'm understanding correctly, a converter is not needed if the appliance is dual voltage, but an adapter would be, to fit the plugs?
Seems like a Kindle would sure beat lugging a bunch of books there!
Can you also tell me if WIFI is widely available? Coffee shops, etc?
@Geri: My response back to you was missing one word...so here it goes one more time! :0)
@Geri: Yes, that's right; if the appliance is dual voltage, all you will need is the plug adapter.
I have to say that a Kindle does make it much easier to take books on a trip. You can carry an entire library in that one device! I've traveled with mine, and I won't go back to carrying "real" books anymore.
Yes, free WiFi is readily available in the bigger cities, such as Prague, Brno, Plzn, etc. Prague has many coffee shops and restaurants that offer free WiFi. Three sure places to find free WiFi are: Starbuck's, McDonald's, and KFC.
Please let me know if there's anything I can help you with!
Have a great day,
Sher :0)
@Geri: I'm sorry your post was accidentally deleted! Hopefully I remember what you asked me. If I don't address some issue from your comment, please leave another comment--and I'll try not to delete that one! :)
You asked if it was easy to find ATMs, and the answer is yes. They are most everywhere in Prague. However, there is one caution and bit of advice for tourists. It's best to use an ATM inside a bank or mall or store. The ones outside a building (which are many) have a habit of being targets of high-tech robbers. They manipulate the machines to give them ATM customers' account numbers, pins, etc. They use this information to take money out of unsuspecting peoples' accounts. It's just safer to use an ATM that's in a bank, mall or store (such as a grocery store).
Please leave another if I've forgotten something you had asked about! Again, I'm sorry for accidentally deleting your comment!
Have a great day,
Sher :0)
@Sher - yikes, that is good to know about the ATMs - thanks!
I also wondered about wifi....is it widely available (coffee shops, etc.? around Prague?
@Geri: Yes, free WiFi is available all over Prague. I know for sure all McDonald's, KFCs and Starbucks in Prague have free WiFi.
I also found this list, in Czech, of other places to find free WiFi in Prague. I can't speak for how accurate the list is, as I've never used it myself: http://www.wifi-in.cz/wifi/praha/. For each place, if you click on "ukazat na mape" a map will open and show the location.
I hope this helps--and please write if you have more questions!
Have a great day,
Sher :0)
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