...and less is more. Only 8 more days until wheels up. (Not that I'm counting or anything.)
A few more questions:
1) Is the Internet wireless or do I need to drag a cable? I am suspecting I should start searching for a long-ago discarded cable.
2) What about the voltage difference issue? Do I need to worry about the laptop/camera. My luck I'll fry it all the first night. I am taking a PC laptop and am usually a Mac person. Mac has protection built right in but I'm not so sure about my low-end PC laptop. I still have to round up the outlet converters...suppose I should get on that, eh?
3) Have you noticed I have absolutely NO concerns about the most important part = meeting my girl. Yep, no worries there. Just ready.
I feel like I should clarify something from yesterday. I am not offended by the people who have asked a few things of me during the trip. (Well, maybe one ;0) Seriously, I certainly know what this trip is about and so do they. But, I am also a person who is going to be very out of my element because I am used to going 50 directions at once while feeling in charge all day long. That is about to come to an abrupt halt...at least the 'feeling in charge' part. Perhaps this trip will turn out to put a log in my cog but I think I will be happy for some diversion aka 'tasks' from home. I will say I have enough tasks now but I am not resentful in the least. Everyone understands that if it doesn't come to pass, it doesn't. It's all good and, of course, my daughter takes mega-priority over any shopping list. No one has to question that.
As far as the plague? Each day, a bit better yet but I am still feeling rather like ape caca. I've got a week to get it together on that front :0)
Thanks for all your input. It's very helpful.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
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16 comments:
8 days, yee hah!! It's been a few years, but nothing was wireless when I was there. And I did take an outlet converter, but don't remember using it.
Glad you are feeling a little better, hope that continues to be the trend! 8 days, yee hah! (sorry, had to say that again)
i can't believe it's only 8 days!!! yahoooo!
I would bring the cables, nothing was wireless when we were there.
I don't think you need an outlet converter for the laptop, like your Mac, it should be built into the system....but I'd take one "just in case". :)
praying for a full and quick recovery!
Wow, I cannot believe you only have eight days!!! Congrats. We took a converter with us and used it at each stop. Although our laptop was wireless, we did need the cable to get the internet connection. Good, good, good luck!
I totally get what you are saying about the control stuff and tasks to do. I will be so curious to see how that plays out. It will all depend on PIPA and what kind of baby she is in this transition.
I am very much like you when it comes to running my life and being pretty competent much of the time. I was surprised to find that I could not multi-task well during that trip. My daughter needed so much (velcro style) and was sick (and then I got sick), that shopping for us was hard enough. Just feeling a bit protective of you, but I know you don't need that.
I know you will do great and am so glad to hear how confident you are about all of the PIPA parts.
Get a surge protector!! When I was in China I fried a laptop by not using a surge protector. It will save your valuables! ... unless they can provide you with one in the hotel??? Guessing not, but maybe things have changed since I was there last! :) You could always pick one up in the store there if you run out of time. Whatever happens, just keep your eye on the plug. If you even start to smell anything funny, UNPLUG!!
In China , 220 volts AC, 50 HZ is standard. Some hotels provide 110 outlets, but they are unreliable. If you take an appliance, take a universal model or a voltage converter. China has its own type socket. I would take an adapter.
Ok. More than you wanted to know! Hope that helps!!! I am so excited for you!!
Your computer, camera, even ipod will be fine without the converter (I too am a Mac person, but my husband is a PC person and always has his with him when he travels and has no problems). You will need the converter for any hair dryers (although they are usually provided at most hotels) or curling irons, etc.
Glad you're feeling better...eight days!
You know, 8 is my favorite number!
Let me know if you need me to run over our outlet converter; I know exaclty where it is ;-)
8 DAYS!!!!
8 days, wow. So happy for you.
As a two time BTDT/blogger mom, I want to offer the following suggestions: Take your computer and camera cords -- every stinking one of them. None of our hotels ever had WiFi, but all had some sort of cable connection. Still, I would not want to be left high and dry without them.
As for "frying" your goods, I believe most newer electronics are okay with the plugs in China. To be safe, though, we still took a converter AND adapter and a 6 outlet power strip so we could plug everything in at once if need be (of course, we were traveling with three teenage sons, GameBoys, iPods, etc.). I didn't want anything to be plugged in "unprotected" even in the supposedly "safe" outlets in the bathrooms. Heard too many horror stories of those outlets frying people's goods.
As for "dressy" outfits, you won't need one. But, if it makes you feel nicer to have one, roll it up and stick it in the bag. My sister brought along a dress and I wore it for our Red Couch photos - which is nice now that we're home and since I didn't pack it, it was a bonus!
One more thought, take extra digital cards, more than you think you'll need. You can purchase them in China as well. Although we uploaded everything on the computer each day, it was nice having those priceless images on the digi cards, just in case. When we got home we also burned the images onto discs and put them in the safety deposit box as well.
Can't wait to see that precious bundle in her Mama's arms!
Oh, and one more thing, I'm curious why you're ditching your Mac for a PC this trip. Personally, I wouldn't suggest bringing a computer you're not really familiar with. Unless you know this PC backwards and forwards, everything will take you longer and be more stressful for you in China. Trust me on this. My hubby's computer died the first night in Beijing and I was lucky enough to use my sister's PC but it was incredibly frustrating to me. Everything took three times as long and it caused ridiculous amounts of unneeded stress. You don't know how many times I wish we'd just packed my beloved MacBook for our trip. Just my $.02.
I like the countdown. Can't help with any of the BTDT questions, obviously, so I've mostly just been reading and smiling at your happiness.
What's the rationale for bringing the pc instead of the mac?
Eight days!!!! As to the electronics, we packed a small, lightweight power strip, then used only one converter to attach the power strip to the outlet. We plugged everything into that power strip - camera, video camera, laptop, etc.
Yes take the laptop - I did and blogged the whole time (each night it was a restful thing to do - after K was asleep-also I did not feel so far away fm famil y and friends - yes take a cable - some are wireless so not...(on the back is a convertor - but you need the plug convertor...I had no problem.
Remember - let the guides work for you -need to order room service - no one understands you - call the guide - need something fm the store - baby sick/mom sick - ask the guide etc...really they are great -!
If you have questions - just ask! (we are going bakc in April for vacation - :-)
WOW!!
Are you going to be blogging here on this site while you are away??
I believe we only needed the converter for our laptop and camera. We had multiple converters but I think we only used one. And.. I think we only used on in one place.
I'm thinking everywhere we stayed we had wireless but we had to pay for daily service. I think it was something like $14/day to have internet and they usually had a weekly rate that was a little better. There was no way I wasn't going to blog so we just included that as part of our "expenses". :0)
Did you treats arrive ok? I'm thinking you should have them by now. Again. sorry for the skimpy packaging. All I was thinking about was "get them there before she leaves in 8 FREAKING MORE DAYS !!!
So sorry that I'm useless when it comes to the info you need. I just wanted to let you know that I am so darn excited for you. Just 8 more days! Yay!
We had wi-fi in Beijing and at the Victory in Guangzhou we took the ethernet cable off the desktop they supplied in the room and hooked it up with our laptop. In both locations, the front desk brought up a converter box thingy. You plug that into the wall and your laptop into the box. Both boxes had two outlets so we had our laptop in one outlet and battery charger in the other.
As far as worrying about hair-dryers...ha,ha,ha,ha,ha...that's all I have to say!
Donna :)
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