Pricetag

Today we are starting through the list required by any international move. Keep in mind that you don't have to get or do the same as I do, but the essence of these things are going to be required.

One of the most important items on any traveler's list, the phone. I personally have an iPhone with AT&T and I have several options that allow me to still use my 'baby.'


OPTION 1

For those who are tech-savvy, you can hack into your iPhone. First you jailbreak your phone by downloading a program that does this. Most of the programs are super easy and truly only require you to push a button. Once you have jailbroken your phone, you will install a source (make sure you look this up for newest version). Finally, when you're in the foreign country, simply buy a new SIM card and insert. Save your AT&T one because when you return you can restore your old phone.

The Pros and Cons of this method:
Pros: you can download third party apps, you are now extra rebellious (down with the man!), no extra fees for international roaming, and you can impressively tell your friends you're a hacker now.
Cons: this is super illegal, so if you do it, know there can be consequences.

OPTION 2

Being a BAMF isn't for all of us, but being techulious is. For this option we are going to practice a little 'layering' and call forwarding, while you maintain your AT&T provider, which makes things less complicated when you return. You are going to download two things: google voice and skype. If you don't already have skype, get on the wagon! It's free, it's awesome, and it will help you no matter where you are.

1. Get a skype account and download skype for iphone.
2. Get a skype number ($20 a year)
3. Buy a skype plan ($5-14 a month) I suggest the $5 plan, which allows you to call North American landlines and cell phones unlimited and for your friends at home to call you unlimited.
4. Use your AT&T/iphone forwarding feature to your new skype number.
5. Get google voice and program your skype number in it.
6. Right before boarding your plane go to settings on your phone and turn off all phone things like roaming, location services, disable 3G, and cellular data. Basically you only want wifi and bluetooth on. 

Let me break down to you what happens. Since skype is dependent on wifi your phone will only 'ring' when you're in a wifi area.

In a wifi area: A friend calls your US cell phone - forwarded to your skype number - now rings on your phone through the skype application - if you don't answer - call will be forwarded to google voicemail and then you will receive an email of the voicemail you missed. If you DO answer - you simply pickup and talk your little heart out.

Not in a wifi area:  A friend calls US phone - forwarded straight to google voice and they can leave a message.

Pros and Cons of this method:
Pros: not illegal, very cheap, do not have to cancel AT&T, easy to do.
Cons: you don't have a way of contacting the cell phones within the country you are staying. This issue may need to be remedied by buying a cheap phone there.

Today I will be exploring option 2 and hope to find a resolution to our rather large con.

The count down: t-26 days

Twenty six days, that's all I have until my life goes from the simple post-grad, penniless freeloader to the ill-prepared living-abroad, penniless laboratory slave. At least I have the luxury of working with one of the most prominent researchers on male fertility in the world. Playing with sperm all day is a magical livelihood, don't you think? Alright, so maybe I have to sugarcoat my job description when speaking to anyone 40 or older.

Early bird special/ senior ticket price member: "So what will you be doing in Israel?"

Me: "Oh, um. I will be working in a fertility lab... There's a lot of science, and I don't want to bore you with the details."

After this preliminary questioning, any further questions will debunk all respect I have just gained in this person's eyes. Oh... But, they can never resist...

Them: "Where will you be staying?"

Me: (Oh no) Well, you see, my laboratory time is actually an unpaid internship, and I don't have any money saved to pay for eight months in a foreign country, so I'm currently looking for both a part-time job and apartment near the university.

Them: "When are you leaving?"


Me: "In less than a month" There! I have hit the threshold. This person now has a protruding furrow brow. Their faith in me has shattered and replaced by concern. I went from high esteem to how-the-hell-is-this-girl-going-to-survive.

Once you've reached this point in the conversation the suggestions and advice NEVER stop. To help any future souls from hearing the same lecture countless times, I have consolidated it for you:

• Parts of Israel are dangerous. Learn where these parts are and then don't go there. 
• Israeli men bring the catcalling and the no-means-yes genre to a whole new level of creeptasticness. Beware. Because, in addition to being wildly forward with their flirtations these men are legendarily hott like, all men are required to be in the army, kind of hott.
• Taxi drivers will cheat you out of money 
• Israelis drive crazy. You won't get a ticket from running a red light or speeding, but if you jay-walk, your ass is grass. 
• The larger the hat on a man's head the more religious he is. Also, if you're a reform jew, don't be blabbing that around. Unfortunately, it is information that can create judgment amongst the religious populace.
• Always carry money on you in an 'undisclosed' location. This is for those glorious pick-pocket adventures that so many world travels have faced. 

Not to sound ungrateful or anything, but these things are the least of my worries. Priority number one: money. Money not just for somewhere to live and for food, but for an USA to Europe converter and adapter plug for appliances, international cell phone, israeli work visa, and toiletries that have to bought here (where it's cheaper). Anyone who has lived abroad understands how the smallest of things at home becomes a tragedy of epic proportions overseas.

I'm at this crossroads now, seeing how my daydream of moving to a foreign place is not going to be an easy transition. Reality is raising it's nasty head and staring me down. And so for the next 26 days, intertwined with family, friendships and relationships that need tending, holidays, and work, I need to buckle down and prepare for this journey.