Struggling with Foreign Languages

Before I came to the Philippines, I found that I could communicate fairly well with my Filipino family and friends, but I knew that the challenge of communicating in the Philippines effectively is going to be far different than the normal challenges I had when talking with people in the United States. Indeed, I've had many times where people couldn't understand what I was saying, here, and some people at my hotel even suggested that I speak English. I'm lucky that English is the second government language here, and that most Filipinos can speak enough English to you to help guide you where you need to go, or what to do. If you're going somewhere new, and you're not as familiar with the language as you'd (or a local) would like, there are some ways to make communication a less painful experience

Study up on some phrases before departure

Lonely Planet has a good phrase guide to help you communicate in whatever language the locals speak in your place of visit. They also provide a pronunciation guide as an aid in reading the phrases in the book, and on the signs and reading materials you may need to read on your trip. If you can afford it, it helps to carry a book with you to read during your travels for the phrases alone. However each location book they provide gives listings of good local sites and places to eat as well, so it's an invaluable quick guide for whenever you need it.

Consider, too, some research online for some quick phrases and slang that would help you out while you travel, and to write them down somewhere easily accessible during your travels. I keep a small notebook of phrases in my pockets whenever I get utterly linguistically lost.

Use maps, and show maps

If it's a new place you're visiting, and you're also new to the language, getting around and about is a frustrating communication experience, for you and the local. I've found that having print outs of your hotel and other important places to visit, along with a map that marks down where you need to go with street names, makes going anywhere in any country a better experience for everyone involved.

Armed with map in hand, and enough know-how to ask someone "Please take me there," or, "How do I get there," I've found that I can get around most places with very little grief, and only small amounts of embarrassment. When I first got to the airport in the Philippines, and for my first few days, I've had no problems saying to my taxi drivers, Násaán ang SM Megamall?, (Where is the SM Megamall?) or Pakihatíd mo po ako dito, (Please take me here,) while I pointed to a map of where I needed to be. Perhaps I've been very lucky, because many locals and taxi drivers here say it's dangerous touring about to unfamiliar places in the Philippines, but thus far all the people I've met have been kind, accommodating, and more than helpful to me whenever I needed to get somewhere, language barrier or not.

Listen and observe closely

One important skill I've noticed when traveling and still learning the language is to just listen to how other people act, and be aware of the context of how they speak. Just like in English, code-switching and other mannerisms differ depending on who you're talking to, and that's far easier to teach through example and experience than it is through a book. In addition, you may learn something new you never knew before, thus making your excursion during vacation an easier one when it comes to talking.

Don't be afraid to say to people, Hindi ko po naiintindihan, (I don't understand), or Marunong ka ba ng Ingles Po? (Do you know English?), or Paano ko masabi Something in Tagalog? (This is more slang-y, How do I say Something in Tagalog). People here will at least be nice enough to try responding if they can help.

The only way to better know a language is to use it and be immersed in it. What better way to practice, then, than using it whenever you can wherever you are! Sherpa out for now, but you know the guru and I can always try to linguistically help out whenever we can. Just let us know!

Until next time, then. For now, time to rest and enjoy a snack, some juice, and get ready for the mall, the clubs, or wherever this trip takes me.

Overseas Traveling with a Cell Phone?

The advice I have for you is, unless you're a T-Mobile (USA) customer or your home carrier offers free International Roaming, do not subscribe to your carrier's International roaming plan. AT&T, my carrier in the states, charges me 30 US$ for 15 minutes of sending and receiving calls with a pay as you go rate of 2.50 US$/minute; 30 US$ for 200 messages, with a pay as you go rate of 0.50 US$/text message and 1.50 US$/multimedia message; and 30 US$ for 120 MB of data, with an overage charge of another 30 US$ for every 120 MB over. And those prices are in addition to what I'm already paying per month! It's simply not worth it.

With a little research and planning before the trip, making accommodations for communications can end up far simpler. In the Philippines, SMART Telecom, Globe Telecom, and Sun Cellular are three of the major mobile telecom companies available. Each of them offer various prepaid SIM services at far more affordable prices. A prepaid SIM card and two 500 PHP load cards costs 1,040 PHP; that's about 24 US$. Thanks to the prepaid offers provided by SMART, this nets me unlimited calls and texts to all three major networks in the Philippines for 14 days, and unlimited data use for 14 days. It's significantly cheaper than using AT&T's International packages.

So, how do you actually accomplish all this? All it requires is a bit of time to do research on the mobile carriers of your destination, and a compatible unlocked phone.

Find out which frequency bands your visiting country's carriers use

Cell phones are rather complicated devices. To the average person it might seem like all you need to do is insert another SIM card to have it work wherever you are. The short answer is exactly that, if and only if the phone you insert the SIM card into is compatible with the frequency bands of your traveling region.

Thankfully, the majority of smartphones with SIM cards nowadays are already international ready--that is, it's a Quad-Band GSM phone that can operate on all the bands used by mobile carriers for voice calls and text messages. It gets more complicated if you want to send and receive calls, and also have data. 3G Data frequencies vary depending on where you are, and 4G LTE is even more variable.

Use GSMArena's mobile coverage tool to find the used frequencies in the country you will be visiting. It's also a good website to use to determine if your current phone will work in another country, or if you would need a different phone. Contact the mobile carriers in the country you're visiting and ask them directly which bands they support as well; they'll usually give you the most current information they have, thus making it easier to select a phone, or a carrier, or a plan later.

Find out if your current phone is unlocked and supports your country of visit's bands

When you know which bands are used by the carriers in the country you'll be visiting, you'll want to make sure your phone is unlocked and is capable of operating in the bands you need. Your home carrier should be able to give you your phone's compatible bands, and most can unlock your phone for free or for a small fee. If they will not unlock your phone, there are a variety of websites that can issue unlock codes for your phone for a fee.

If you plan on traveling frequently, or if you want a phone that you can use practically anywhere, I suggest trying to find a phone listed as a Quad-Band GSM/Penta-Band 3G. Those kinds of phones are designed to work practically anywhere and with any GSM carrier. Your best bets would be older Nokia models in their E-series line or N-series line. The software is a bit dated, but they're durable, internationally capable, and very well made phones that will last a long time. My personal favorite is Nokia's E7-00. Though it sacrifices on the camera quality, it's suite of communications options--e-mail, SIP VoIP, video calling (with compatible phones), Skype (no video calls), Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Lync, Exchange--make it an awesome choice for communications wherever you are and whatever you are.

Choose a carrier and plan, and find out where to make the purchase

Once you know which bands each carrier supports, and once you have a phone compatible with your chosen carrier, it's time to decide which plans you want, and where to buy it. Check each carrier's website to see their offers and rates, then shoot a message towards their customer service. Ask them where you can purchase a SIM card close to where you're staying, and how you can load more balance into the card if you start getting low. That way, once you get to your country of visit, it's a simple matter of buying the SIM card, loading it with credit, and inserting the SIM card into your phone. There. Communications profit.

That's too much work! Isn't there an easier option?

For certain countries, HolidayPhone can actually mail you a SIM card from the country you're visiting. You can decide whatever services you need. After you pay them and tell them where and when you're going, expect a SIM card to arrive to you a few days before your trip. The price turns out to be nearly as expensive as using my carrier's International packages, but it is far more feature-filled, and more convenient if you have no time for research.

You can always rely on your carrier's International packages, too, but be sure you're okay with the limits they set, and the prices they want you to pay.

Otherwise, there's always us! I'd be more than happy to do the research for you, if you'd like.

What does my set-up look like?

Thankfully I keep my E7 around for whenever I travel, so I have the luxury of skipping the step of researching GSM or 3G bands; it's compatible with every frequency, though it's not 4G LTE compatible. From there, I read reviews of all the telecom companies in the Philippines and found that SMART has the best reviews out of all of them, and that their unlimited data plan is truly unlimited. I asked them through Twitter where I can buy SIM cards and credit close to my hotel's location (practically anywhere, they said, which was true), and wrote it in my notes. After which, I went there, bought the SIM and credit, and I had cell phone and data.

What Should I Pack?

Because of the nature of my trip, I did my best to make a somewhat set itinerary of things I must do while I'm in the Philippines, but kept the majority of my time open for variation. That also influenced the majority of the decisions I had to make when packing for this trip. Here are some of the questions I asked myself before going on this trip, and they're the same questions I ask myself on any of my travels--whether at home or abroad.

Nota Bene

I tried an experiment this time around, using a bunch of philosophies I've compiled while looking at minimalist living and ultra-light backpacking. If you're interested in looking at minimalist thought, or ultra-light backpacking techniques, I recommend Leo Babauta's excellent ZenHabits, a read through Wikipedia's ultra-light backpacking article, and a browse through Steve Gillman's The Ultra-light Backpacking Site.

How am I holding my things?

One of the big threes when backpacking is the actual pack itself, the vessel in which all your stuff goes. Consider what kind of bag, or bags, you want to bring with you; it will help put light in all the stuff you can bring.

What do I need to bring?

I can't stress the word need enough, here! People who are regular travelers have noticed the gigantic swarm of people in security, or through airport restricted areas, carrying oodles of rolling carry-on bags, purses, laptop bags, sleeves, and many other items. In my opinion, the majority of people who travel tend to bring too much stuff with them, instead of too little. Not only is it a hassle before a departure, but it's even more of a hassle during travel and after travel.

Packing tons of things, especially for us Western-minded folks, is a normal thought, but I've found that the phenomenon is based more on a fear of potentially living without it, or a fear of not finding it, while on a trip. Furthermore, if there's any attachment at all to anything brought, the constant anxiety will remain in a person's head. All in all, it just clutters up what could be a wonderful adventure, and potentially separates you from the present moment, no matter where you are.

On that note, I suggest starting with the things you truly need in order to function or survive. Do you take medication? Make sure to bring it with you. Do you wear glasses or contacts? Bring both, and consider either bringing cleaning solution with you or buying some at your destination. Are you going to backpack, or are your pursuits more urbane? Consider what you truly need to fulfill having your Big Three during your travels: shelter, sleeping system, and the actual pack.

Start your packing list with needs in mind, and look at each item while asking yourself, honestly, Do I need this to function? If your answer isn't a whole-hearted yes, you probably don't need to bring it.

What do I need to bring to do the things I want to do?

The Well-Travelled Guru, whenever traveling, goes diving and participates in other watersports, so whenever she goes on an International adventure that involves play in the water--whether ocean, sea, lake, or puddle--makes sure to bring what she needs with her that she can't get, or can't get easily, while abroad. After you've compiled a list of things that you truly need to survive, look at your desired itinerary and figure out what you need to bring, if anything, for the attractions or events in which you participate.

I'm a bit of an urban adventurer, or a natural walking/hiking/sightseeing kind of guy, so thankfully the most specialized thing I really need on my trip is just a good pair of comfortable shoes.

How much of my needed items do I need to bring with me?

Really consider this question based on your true needs and your ability to scavenge for what you need in case you need more of it. Many times travelers have a tendency to pack more than needed, even if, in their minds, they feel they need all those items.

What do I want to bring?

After securing all the stuff I need, I consider the things that I want to bring: books, video games, perfumes and colognes, extra clothing, tobacco, snacks, and other little sundries or knick-knacks. Add those items to your list of things, then, just like with the needs, ask yourself honestly if you really need to bring those things with you. The Way to Love by Anthony DeMello is always in my travel pack in some form, and is a heart-felt yes whenever I travel. Those three other books I wanted to bring, however, usually stay home when I actually think about how much reading time I'll have.

Do I really need everything on the list?

By now you should have a list of items that you need and want. Look over each item once more and ask yourself if you really need to bring it with you, and why? At second glance, you might realize you don't need all those books, or shoes, or clothes; or you may just consider grabbing some non-essential toiletries when you get to your destination.

Can I fit it all in my pack?

Start to pack for your trip after you made the list, just to see if it will all comfortably fit, and to see if it's well weighted. If it's too heavy for you while traveling around, you probably need a better pack, or you have too much stuff. If you can't fit it all in your pack, again, you probably need a better pack, or you have too much stuff. Unless you have a lot of specialized kit to bring, the reason is almost always too much stuff.

What I brought to the Philippines

My Packs (1 Laptop Messenger Bag, 1 Small Hand Bag, 1 Backpack, 1 Duffel Bag)

It sounds like a lot of bags, but the handbag and the duffel bag can be compressed enough to fit in the backpack with the stuff I wasn't bringing with my carry-on. I ended up using the small hand bag the majority of the time, but I brought a backpack along to hold things in case I'm in situations where I need to carry and use both hands (like riding a Jeepney's overflow seating--that is, clinging to the edge of the jeep and praying to the heavens that your driver is careful). In addition, I need room for souvenirs that I'll, no doubt, be bringing back.

Clothes (2 Boxers, 2 Under-Shirts, 2 Socks, 2 Pants, 1 Short-Sleeve Button-Up Shirt, 1 Long-Sleeve Button-Up Shirt, 1 Rain Jacket, 1 Sweater, 1 Hat, 1 Pair of Shoes)

ExOfficio, owned by Marmot, is famous for its line of Give-n-Go Underwear. It's antibacterial, quick drying, and very easy to wash in a sink. However, they sell more than just underwear, and their entire line of clothing is durable and easy-maintenance enough to suffer through my kind of wear and tear, and look presentable enough to wear at any occasion, though their styles don't go anything above what would be considered business casual.

I brought along two pieces each of ExOfficio's Give-n-Go line of undergarments: crew-neck undershirt and boxers. The socks I brought are 100% nylon, making them equally durable and easy to maintain and wash while I travel. I also brought ExOfficio's Nomad Pants, one khaki, one slate; and two of their GeoTrek'r line of button-up shirts, short-sleeved ensign, and long-sleeved white. The hat, given to me by a dear friend, simply helps with sun blocking, the sweater was for airplane travel and colder days (hah, hah, hah; I haven't touched it at any time during my stay in the Philippines), the rain jacket is just for rainy days, and the shoes are a durable leather and slip-resistant affair.

Notice I only brought two outfits with me. I've been washing the underwear in the sink every night after use because they're quick drying, and the clothing itself I only wash if need-be. It takes me 10 minutes to wash and rinse them out with soap, and they hang in the bathroom overnight to dry while I sleep.

Toiletries (6oz Dr. Bronner's Tea Tree Soap, Aveda Chakra No. 7 Body Mist, Toothbrush, Washcloth, Towel)

Dr. Bronner's soaps are advertised having 18 uses, and I can vouch for all of them. It's a perfect soap for travel because of it's versatility (you can even brush your teeth with it, though the experience is, well, interesting), and a TSA-approved bottle of it can go a long way. I've been using it here as a body wash, shampoo, toothpaste (when I run out, that is), and for washing my clothes. Tea Tree oil has a pleasant scent and is a natural anti-bacterial as well, so I bring a bottle around just to wash my hands, too.

Chakra No. 7 is there to provide some scent, and is an item purely on my want-to-bring list. It smells nice used as a unisex eau de cologne, and can freshen up a room.

The washcloth and towel are for times when I end up needing or wanting to bathe in places where I might not be provided such items. The towel is made out of quick-drying and water absorbing microfiber , while the washcloth is a waffle-weaved quick-drying nylon.

Eye Wear and Care (Two Pairs of Contact Lenses, Re-Wetting Drops, 4-in-1 Contact Solution, Carrying Case, Prescription Glasses, Sunglasses)

The Philippines is a very hot climate, and I pre-emptively planned for drier eyes, not to mention losing my contacts while going on adventures. I brought everything I need in order to maintain my eyes and my contacts; brought some glasses for days I don't want to wear them, or if I lose them; and brought some sunglasses to keep the sun at bay.

Communications (Nokia E7-00, Microsoft Surface Pro)

This particular Sherpa's been nicknamed TOTS by a dear friend, which stands for Turn-Off-Technology. I got the nickname because it never fails that I have a gadget that can be helpful at any time in any situation. Bringing electronics is a tricky situation, because when you go on a trip there's always a risk of losing it, despite your care. However, I wanted a way to make contact easily overseas, and the two devices I have help accomplish that, and provide other benefits.

For travelers going overseas that want a reliable communication device, I absolutely recommend one of Nokia's Symbian smartphones: the E7-00, designed with business communications in mind; the N8, a good all-rounder phone; or the 808 PureView, packed with a 41 MP camera that's still considered top of its class. The hardware and the software is obviously aged, especially for folks spoiled by the likes of Apple, Windows Phone, or Android. However, the major social network accoutrements (that is, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn), Skype calling and instant messaging, e-mail and PIM functionality, and camera/video functions are all there and ready to use. These phones are considered world phones, meaning they have quad-band GSM, making them capable for use by pretty much any GSM cellular network for calls and SMS. However, they're one of the few phones capable of Penta-Band 3G, making them capable of also using 3G data networks practically everywhere. Find them on eBay or at other places, because Nokia doesn't make those models anymore.

I brought a Microsoft Surface Pro with me so I can write about my travels. The form factor of the Surface line of products doesn't work for everyone, but its hybrid combination of laptop and tablet works extremely well for my purposes. Plus, it's extremely lightweight for the functions I get out of it. Not only can I get work done, but I have something to occupy myself on the plane--not to mention that all my e-books are on it, ready to be read whenever I want.

Entertainment (Nintendo 3DS XL, Headphones)

I bring around a Nintendo 3DS XL everywhere with me, but that doesn't mean I play on it constantly. However, it is there whenever I want to take 3D pictures. Plus, if there are any other 3DS owners while I travel, I can connect with them just by passing by, and can know where they are from if they listed it on their 3DS. It's interesting to see who else is here and where they're from if they traveled abroad.

Conclusion

I've only been gone a week from home, but I've never felt a need of anything else while I've been here. There's very little stress and worry about my stuff's safety, and that comfort has freed me to enjoy my trip in however which way it presents itself. Plus, with my check-in bag only weighing 10 pounds, and my carry-on around 6 pounds, traveling with bags was a breeze through security, jets, and taxis. I certainly suggest trying to pack light next time around when you travel. As always the Sherpa and the Guru are here to help with any questions you may have!

Welcome From The Philippines

Mabuhay! This is the statement used in the Philippines in the same way us in the United States would use Cheers!, or Long Live [Insert Something Here]!, or as a welcome in the local Filipino hospitality industry.

Long story short of it, I've been in the Philippines since 22:00 Central Time, February 4, 2014, taking care of a long list of business and a few pleasurable bucket list items. The catch is the Sherpa's traveling alone! It's only been a week since I've been gone, and though I've marked out a lot of the things that I've wanted to do in the Metro Manila area, there's still a lot more to see, a lot more to do, and a lot more pet pigs to hold.

I've truly enjoyed my visit so far, especially reconnecting with a lot of family and old friends, and there's so much to see and do--if you're not afraid to look around and ask the locals (it tends to be that the locals know a lot more about what's fun to see than you can find in any book). I'm very sure, after my visit, that I'd be able to help find accommodations and lists of things to do, or people to ask, for anyone who wants to visit this country, especially the Pearl of the Orient, Metro Manila.