Thursday, September 2, 2010

I'll Text You When I Get There.

"Hey Shooter! We Just Landed!"

Well that's what you wanted to say. What you got was "No Network Available."

Your cell phone won't work on St Kitts. You need a new SIM card.

Some schools give you a cheap new cell phone when they pick you up at the airport. This is the no frills model. Deal with it. You can contact the local cell phone companies for plan options.

Most cell phones are prepaid. You have to "Top Up" - buy more "local" minutes. You can do this at school, at stores, gas stations, snack bars, and some bars.  Most take your number and "call it in." Look for the signs. You can also buy via phone, (with account) and online.
When in Downtown Basseterre, I like to Top Up at  'Caribbean Gifts and Liquors' by the taxi lot in Port Zante. Ram's in Frigate Bay is quick.

Using "Local" minutes for International Calls is VERY expensive. For much more affordable International Cell calls, there is "888" minutes. This runs about $0.18 USD / minute to Canada and the USA. These are available on calling card, via phone, (with account) and online. There may be other plans available.

You can text out of country from your phone.

During natural disasters and emergencies always TEXT to instead of calling to family and friends as this
1> has a better chance of getting out. 2> uses less bandwidth, letting more messages get out.

You can use your cell phone to figure out what the Kittian price (ECD) costs in the currency that you are used to using.
Program your cheap phone's "Currency Converter" for 2.70 to 1.00, Eastern Caribbean Dollar (ECD) to United States (USD), using ECD as "Domestic" and USD as "Foreign". This exchange rate remains constant because ECD are tied to USD.
If you think in Canadian Dollars, Euros, Great Britain Pounds, or a different Currency, enter the appropriate  exchange rate, again using ECD as "Domestic" and the other Currency as "Foreign." Since these currencies are not tied to ECD, they will change and you will need to then need to change the in your phone.


Numbers to program into your cell phone NOW:

Pizza Delivery of Choice (gotta keep your priorities straight)
Your School's Main Number
Landlord
Power Station
Internet Provider
Cable Company
Favorite Taxi Driver
Frigate Bay Taxi Stand (for rides after 10 pm)(fare is 1.5 times the day rate after 10 pm)
Campus Security
Your Island Doctor
School Nurse
Dentist
Veterinarian
Health Insurance Company
Automobile Insurance Company
Mechanic
Family members

If you don't have a Island Doctor, Dentist, Veterinarian, Favorite Taxi Driver, or Mechanic yet, Get a recommendation and their number from your Orientation Leader NOW!

You want all these numbers ready to call when you are stressing out. Believe me on this.


PLEASE CONSIDER DOING THIS  (Based on your own judgement and comfort level.)
Put your passport number in the "Notes" section of your phone. I'd label it something memorable, just not "My Passport Number!"
Under the Titles "Health Insurance" & "Automobile Insurance" & "Transportation Insurance" enter the policy numbers in your "Notes" section of your phone.
Under the Titles "Medical Information" & "Medications" enter all medical conditions and all meds and doses in the "Notes" section of your phone.
If your phone is camera equipped, Take CLEAR pictures of your St Kitts Drivers License, and your St Kitts Automobile Insurance.  Consider taking a CLEAR picture of your passport. (THINK ABOUT THIS FIRST!)

C U
B.

No comments:

Post a Comment