The Internet is Magic

Today I want to talk about reason #23,592 why the internet has made travel infinitely easier: VoIP calling. VoIP calling is just a fancy way to refer to the process of calling people over the internet. This is an amazing advancement, since it allows travelers to stay in touch with friends, family, and clients, while on the road or in a foreign country without paying ridiculous international calling fees. It also allows you to call your bank and ask them why the hell they turned off your debit card while you’re in a third world country, especially after you told them you’d be out of the country. VoIP calling saves the day because without a debit card you can’t buy a calling card to then reactivate your debit card.  (No, I’m not bitter or angry at the bank, which will remain nameless. I’m just mad at their spokespeople, a weirdly mismatched hot young woman and a creepy old man that team together to host a morning talk show, because they lied to me about how “convenient” this bank is.)

VoIP has been available on smartphones for a little while now, but they are only just starting to actually get good. With the increasing ubiquity of Wi-Fi hotspots and the expansion of 3G and 4G networks, it is now easy to just pick up your cell phone and call anyone in the world. This can be both a blessing and a curse for you travelers who are trying to experience new culture, get out of your comfort zone and go on an adventure, but also just need to call and tell your friend about what you just saw on the streets of Budapest.