Freelance Writing Job: WiFi (Online) Tips for Freelance Writers Who Work While Traveling
September 18, 2009
Citronella (Negril, Jamaica): Cabins by the Sea
1. Wireless Internet Connection: I know this may sound obvious, but if you don’t travel a lot and are just used to making reservations without checking, you can easily forget to see if they have a wireless internet connection (WiFi). I always look for this in the description on the website. If I don’t see it and it’s a hotel I want to stay at, I’ll call, just to make sure that the person who did their website didn’t simply forget to put this information in.
I’ve found that most major chains have WiFi, but some smaller hotels may not. So be sure to ask, and also ask if . . .
2. The WiFi Is Free: In some hotels, it’s not. Again, most of the major chains have a connection you can simply log into, but some smaller hotels may not. You may be charged a fee. One more thing about WiFi on the road . . .
3. Is There a Passcode: In the hotel I’m staying at here in Jamaica, they have a passcode you have to type in to access their FREE WiFi. This is the first time I’ve encountered this, as most hotels allow you to just log in — on an unsecured connection mind you (more on this in a minute).
I simply went to the front desk and told them that I was getting a message that I needed a passcode and they gave it to me — no problem, mon (love Jamaica!).
Catch a Falling Star: Luxury Condos by the Sea in Negril, Jamaica. View from Condo Balcony.
4. Unsecured WiFi Connection: If you’re used to logging on from home or work, you’re probably accustomed to having secure connection (eg, no one can see the information that is being passed over the net when you’re logging into and out of accounts.
But when you’re on the road and logging in from a hotel, for example, you will get a message that says something like, “You’re logging into an unsecured network, which means that others can see the information you send.”
This can freak you out if you’re not used to logging in from an unsecured network.
But, people do it everyday. I don’t spend a lot of time logging into my financial accounts though (eg, bank, paypal, clickbank). I jump in, see what I need to see, and log out. While ostensibly someone could hack into any account if you log on from an unsecured connection — even if only for a few seconds — millions do it every day.
Financial Institutions Work Hard to Protect Your Info
Knock wood, I haven’t had any problems and I’ve been working and travelling a lot in the last year and a half. I think it’s because banks and other financial institutions work hard to protect your info. In another post, I’ll give some tips for protecting your info online when working on the road.
That ends the “professional” part of this post.
Part Deux of Lust in Jamaica
Quite a few people have emailed me about my love interest, which is why I traveled back to Jamaica so soon. Following is a little about that, and the trip in general.
First, I landed sick as a dog. I got bit by something back home (a tick, a spider, who knows what) and had a swelling on my tummy, a fever of 103+, an upset stomach and a headache to die for. I’m not one to run to the doc — especially in a foreign country — so I wanted to wait it out. The next morning though, I knew I couldn’t.
Rasta Man (the nickname I’ve given my guy here) was sooooo sweet. Off we went to his doctor, who wasn’t in. I had to wait about 5 hours (hey, remember it’s Jamaica mon) for the doc to get in. Rasta man took me to a friend of his who runs a business on the beach. I laid out in a beach chair she graciously provided and promptly fell asleep while he ate, drank rum and discussed politics with his friends – in a way that only Jamaicans (especially rastas) can (ie, loudly).
When I finally got to the doc, he gave me two cortisone shots (in my rear which hurt like heck) and 3 prescriptions for meds. I feel 200% better today, my second full day here. Thank goodness! Downside: No alcohol until I finish the meds in a week — bummer!
Needless to say, I like Rasta Man. Anyone who barely knows you, waits for you patiently b/c your flight got in 4.5 hours late and tells you you look gorgeous even when you know he’s lying b/c you’re a rumpled, sweaty, feverish, sick mess, gets tons of kudos in my book. He’s started off on the right foot!
It’s just past 1pm here, I’m almost done with work for today and then I’m off to pick up my bathing suits from Rasta Man’s shop (he’s a tailor and is doing some minor alterations I asked for). Then, we’re off to the beach for a run and some fun!
That’s my life as a freelance (SEO) writer — on the road. It CAN be yours too (minus the sick part, of course)!
FYI, I’ll upload some more pics from this trip (these two are from my last trip) to my facebook account as soon as I can figure out how to get them off the new digital camera I just bought (electronics of any kind just befuddle the heck out of me!).
Have a good weekend everybody — I fully intend too now that I’m feeling better,
Yuwanda
P.S.: Want to train for a recession-proof freelance writing career? Get the FREE Report, Learn SEO: 6 Reasons SEO Copywriting Is the Ideal High-Paying, Work-from-Home, Recession-Proof Career (pdf file).
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WiFi (Online) Tips for Freelance Writers Who Work While Traveling (Part II)
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September 18th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
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September 18th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
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September 21st, 2009 at 6:05 am
[...] In the last post I talked about WiFi (Online) Tips for Freelance Writers Who Work While Traveling. [...]
September 26th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
[...] off to explore other parts of Jamaica. Rasta Man (learn more about him here) and I rented a car. I love day [...]
April 26th, 2010 at 4:04 am
Thank you for this nice post. Not all place in the world have good internet/wifi connection.