I’m a longtime user and fan of SCOTTEVEST tech-enabled clothing as a stylish and convenient way to carry gadgets.
The company recently released a new Blackout Pocket, a standalone pocket made to keep your most sensitive information private using a technology similar to that which law enforcement and the military utilize to preserve electronic evidence.
Ideal for gadget loving travelers, the pocket is designed to protect your cell phone, credit cards, passport, and mobile devices from the nefarious efforts of identity thieves, RFID (radio-frequency identification) skimmers or NSA surveillance.
Available in three levels of protection, and offered at a discounted introductory price, the Blackout Pocket is lined with proprietary RFID Armor material to protect your digital valuables.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Barking dogs, tolling church bells, blaring music, parading bands, exploding fireworks, police whistles, sirens, and crowing roosters are among the many noises that make up the soundtrack of life in Latin America, our home-away-from-home for nearly two years now.
Like many visitors, we have a love/hate relationship with the auditory vibrancy of the Latin American lifestyle. Most of the time, the crazy cacophony charms and amuses us. At 3AM, not so much.
Not to worry: There’s an app for that.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Say goodbye to hefty monthly contracts and global roaming fees with a $199 Apple iPod Touch.
When my husband and I made the decision to put our life in New Mexico on hold and set off for an extended romp through Latin America, it wasn’t where we’d live, how we’d get there, or even what we’d take that worried me. The Internet, vacation rentals, hotels, airplanes, and local shops offered easy solutions to those problems.
What did present a challenge, however, was a question on the minds of many Americans traveling abroad: How can I avoid the global roaming fees of my U.S. based mobile phone provider and still stay connected?
Nearly eighteen months into the adventure, we’ve said goodbye to hefty monthly contracts and global roaming fees, in large part thanks to the simple convenience of a $199 Apple iPod Touch.
Basically an iPhone without a monthly contract, the iPod Touch is proving to be an essential pocket-sized travel tool and budget-friendly communications alternative.
Here are 3 key ways I use the iPod Touch in lieu of a global smartphone.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
As I pack for a European walking tour with The Wayfarers, I’m astounded by the obscene pleasure I derive from planning what gadgets and goodies to bring. While my eldest sister, Kathy, who will join me for the trek, preps with language lessons and historic research, I get ready in true Gadget Girl form. I purchase a digital pedometer, download French music to iTunes, upgrade to the new BlackBerry Tour and the latest Flip video UltraHD.
But, it’s not only the techy toys that have me as excited for the adventure as my sister’s French lessons. It’s also the chance to put my favorite gear to work. Out comes the Outdoor Research rain hat I bought in Alaska last summer that has languished unused in my sunny New Mexico closet. Then there’s the Keen hikers I’ve been breaking in on the mountain trails near home. And, the Naneu camera backpack that’s just begging for a walk through southern France.
So, fellow gadget and gear addicts, if you were looking for an excuse to invest in a few more toys, read on….
Keen Targhee II hiker shoe: The Keen Targhee II waterproof cross-training shoes deliver tenacious traction, stability and comfort. Perfect for a French walking tour, a stroll around the neighborhood or wherever your multisport needs might take you. www.keenfootwear.com
Montbell cargo short: These stretch Cargo shorts serve me well during high mileage days on the trail or back home running weekend errands. www.montbell.us
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".