Making Connections

This past weekend, I've had a couple of major advances in my connectivity in Russia.

First, someone I met at synagogue showed me how to add money to my cell phone. My account had been out of money for about a week, but I didn't know how to put any more money on it. The system in Russia is actually simpler than in the States; instead of a recurring contract, you pay as you go at terminals that look like ATMs. It turns out they're fairly simple to use. Why can't things work this simply Stateside?

Second, having gotten a paycheck, I was able to go out and buy an electric adaptor for my laptop. It took two salespeople and some looking in a dictionary to get everything set up, but I now am able to plug my laptop into a wall and use it, at least. For the time being, I still rely on a local internet cafe for the actual internet connection. But it's possible to purchase internet cards that work similarly to phone cards and connect wirelessly from anywhere in Moscow. This coming week, I'll ask my director of studies or another teacher where I can purchase these, and I'll really be back in business.

The only downer in all of this is that my computer adaptor can't charge by battery. What this means is that I can plug my computer in and use it anywhere, but I can't disconnect from the electric source and use the internet in, say, the Alexander Gardens. Ah, well. I expect to use my laptop mostly at home, in my school's resource center, and occasionally for a class. I figure total mobility is less than critical.