Travelling Abroad...

Ok, this coming summer I will be touring Europe with a concert band for two weeks. I'm going to England, Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy, and maybe another cpl. countries (I forget and don't have the info with me). Anyways, I had a couple worries and concerns.

1. Is theft as big of a problem in Europe as many claim? I've heard stories of large amts. of theft there. What can I do to protect myself from theft? What countries should I be the most careful in?

2. What will I need to charge my PB in Europe?

3. I currently have DSL dialup internet. I would like to have internet access while in Europe. What are good options? Is there a wide enough range of hotspots that I could just go to them, or should I get a temporary dial-up ISP? If I have to get an ISP, what should I get? This is only a two week trip, so I'd rather not pay an arm and a leg.

4. Any other advice for a 1st time traveller to Europe (I've travelled to almost all 50 states, but this is my 1st Europe adventure!)? Doesn't have to be computer related.

Thanks!

I'll try to answer some of your questions:

1. ?!? I don't know who told you that theft is a big issue in Europe...it's not worse than the US. Don't let your stuff laying around unattended and avoid the bad parts of the big cities, and you'll be fine.

2. The PowerBook's powersupply is universal, means it works with US and European voltage. All you need is a plug adapter for Europe. Most European countries have the same type of plug. From your list, only England has a different one.

3. Don't know, I don't need Internet when I'm travelling...I like enjoying computerless time once in a while :headphone

4. Hmm...well, the only thing I can tell you is that you shouldn't expect every European to speak English. Depending in which city you'll be (especially smaller one's) that can be an issue...

Thanks for your help!

The country I've most heard abt. for thievery is Italy and France, France more for pickpocketing and Italy for theft of larger items (purses, laptops, etc.). But it's just what I've heard. I don't believe everything I hear.

So I'll just need a plug adapter then...? You promise it won't fry my PB when I plug it in? lol, that is my biggest worry, I plug it in and the screen flashes and it explodes (although I know thats not what would happen).

Well, I'm going with a bunch of friends who want to take digital pictures and send e-mails back home. It will be the easiest two weeks or my PB it's ever had, normally I'm making it render 3D objects and record music, and....

Yea, I know the language differences will be interesting, I'm fairly fluent in French, but I have a feeling that once I get there I'll still be lost. oh well, it will be an adventure!

Thanks again, anybody else have input?

Yeah all you need is an adapter to charge your PB. I travelled to the UK (England, Scotland) Australia, New Zealand, and Tahiti and as long as I had the right adapter, I was fine.. no sparking, no blowing up

As for internet.. I usually went to a internet cafe, although a lot of times you have to use their computers and you can't use your own. That might have changed now since it's been a couple of years now since my trip. Otherwise you really shouldnt have a problem. Most of the time I kept my stuff with me or left it in a secure place wherever I was staying. I never had a problem.