Viber

[Brendaparrish]

Almost time and soooo excited...making last minute decisions and have a few questions hope someone can answer....
1. has anyone mailed their pack to sjpp and was it there when you arrived?...i will be in poland and surrounding areas for three weeks prior and cannot cart around a pack.
2. has anyone used viber for texting and calling...i'm told it is a free app for both and quite useful
3. anyone starting out on july 8th... haven't seen one post and have been watching for months

b

 

[deborah101]

Viber, yes! I used it for the first time last fall. It's great for texting and I couldn't believe the audio quality of calls--unbelievably clear. Drawbacks are that you have to find WiFi to use it, plus whoever you are texting or calling must also have Viber in order to communicate with you. I downloaded it on my iPhone before leaving the US then kept the phone in airplane mode while in Europe. WiFi isn't difficult to find, it's available even in cafés and bars....the code will usually be posted someplace. You may already know this, but "proper etiquette" in Spanish bars and cafés is to be sure to order something, even just a small coffee, before asking for the WiFi code...and also before using their restrooms. For the first time ever, last year on the Camino Francés, in Fromista, I actually noticed a sign posted on a restroom door stating the restroom was for paying patrons only...it was printed in several languages and, interestingly, none of them were Spanish. Buen Camino!

 

[OzAnnie]

Almost time and soooo excited...making last minute decisions and have a few questions hope someone can answer....
1. has anyone mailed their pack to sjpp and was it there when you arrived?...i will be in poland and surrounding areas for three weeks prior and cannot cart around a pack.
2. has anyone used viber for texting and calling...i'm told it is a free app for both and quite useful
3. anyone starting out on july 8th... haven't seen one post and have been watching for months

b

Hi Brenda
1. Have you investigated paying for a 'lock up' area in Poland (at a station of some description) to deposit your pack whilst you are holidaying there. I know a few friends who do this. Then collect when you're ready and take with you. It would be pretty costly mailing to sjpdp I would think ?
2. I downloaded viber last year as a friend here recommended it. Pre tested with her before leaving (it worked and was fun) but left it too late to organise my family to add the app so didn't really try to use it for phone calls. That's where it would pay off . I wouldn't bother trying to phone anyone other than family whilst on camino (if an emergency ). The other possibilities of Facebook and hotmail contact are achievable on your iPhone , with wifi anyway, even if you don't have a SIM card at any point.

3. I'm not walking in July, but if you check the stats.....you'll have no shortage of company. Not everyone posts on the forum.


Buen camino

Annie

 

[wayfarer]

Viber is a good app but as Annie says you need to get your family and friends to sign up too. I used it and skype in 2012 and 2013 to keep in contact with family and friends and found they worked great. Have a great camino.

 

[Kuriya50]

If you have iPhone, you can send iMessages for free to any iPhones all over the world. provided you are in WiFi area. Mobile Voip is good too. I use that when I travel.

 

[Brendaparrish]

Thought I would never find the replies to my post.....thanks for all your help...I am unable to have backpack with me since I will be traveling from place to place with all the "usual" tourist stuff...I did send email today to my hotel in sjpp but gave not heard back...
Sure it will all work out and hey if I lose it the trip will be that much easier(at least lighter)
B

 

[awakeningaimee]

I have used Viber for the past 3 yrs to communicate with friends overseas & in the US. They have to have the app as well. The call quality is mostly great. Texting is perfect.

Xoxo

 

[GerFol]

If you need to use your phone/internet outside a WiFi zone, consider purchasing a Spanish SIM but ensure your phone is unlocked before leaving home. Roaming charges are quite high so last year I purchased a Vodafone SIM in Spain, cost €15. For this you get 250MB of data which lasted me for a month and allowed me check emails, Google maps, Facebook for sending messages etc. You also get 20 minutes of calls which is handy for local calls. Subsequent top-ups for the same package is €10 for a month. All you need to do is go to a Vodafone outlet and have your passport with you. I'm doing the Camino Frances again beginning at the end of August and will be taking my Spanish SIM with me.