Cell Phones

Communicating with loved ones at home is need we all have. There are easy ways to do it and there is a false sense that an American cell phone will somehow work anywhere in the world. We know it is technologically possible but rarely have participants had much success. Your telephone company will tell you that they can insert an international chip in your phone but chances are it won't work in China. After 13 trips to China I have given up. Someday it will work.

Use a telephone card if you have the need to communicate via live voice with your family. Telephone cards are available for purchase in China at most hotels and can be used in "phone booths" located in hotels. You will find that it can be very expensive calling from your room. Just remember that we will be constantly on the move and will not be able to make special stops for purchases nor be able to interrupt the schedule to make phone calls.

The internet is an easy way to communicate AND it will ensure that you do not wake anyone up in the middle of the night by forgetting the time difference. I have been able to conduct susbtantial office business via email in my hotel room and people never know that I am in China.