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Webshack Internet Cafe. Photo by BBC
Nick Baker, the Internet Cafe Hobo, will be traveling around the world and visiting Internet cafes. The details are in this BBC World Service article.
Although Internet cafes may be facing a decline with the rise of netbooks like the Eee PC, they are still a common pit stop on the travelers’ trail. Especially with the popularity of Facebook, getting online is the best way to stay in touch with friends, family, and fellow travelers.
Speaking from personal experience, I backpacked around Europe pre-Facebook. The sad reality was that when I said goodbye to a cool new friend I’d made, chances were I’d lose contact with them. My Southeast Asia trip was totally different thanks to Facebook. It was simple to arrange to meet up with people on the road, which added to my trip immensely.
How does getting online fit in with your vagabonding? Horror stories about bad Internet cafes or tips for good ones are appreciated.
@Backpack Foodie & Kim:...
November 6th, 2009 at 2:57 am
Internet Cafe’s in Burma were usually a unique experience. Any website I would need to access (including email) was blocked by the government, so everything had to be hacked. Usually the workers there were very good hackers, and could find some way to access whatever was needed. However, the internet would also randomly go down for days at a time. It was always an adventure to try and check email, and never guaranteed.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Hopefully internet cafes stick around for some time. Scotland’s internet cafes are very cool and reliable. There’s one up the street from Budget Backpackers in Edinburgh. Of course, Budget Backpackers offers internet service as well. Sometimes the computers are taken so it could be worth it to get and explore Edinburgh and the internet cafes.
November 7th, 2009 at 1:54 am
The whole “progress in technology” hasn’t really reached an average Russian home ( it’s expensive and people over 40′ don’t even find it usefull). So there are lots of cafes available in every major town and local post offices (it’s cheaper at a post office). Many cafes are 24/7, security guarded, and “smoke friendly”. Also, cafes’ personal are usually college students and therefore,many speak decent English.