| Traditional Postal Service
If someone wants to send a letter or package to you while you are away, there are a couple of very good options: American Express' Client Letter Service or in care of Poste Restante at the General Post Office in many of the larger cities. Check your travel guide for exact addresses. A list of American Express offices with mail acceptance capabilities is available from American Express by calling their 800 number or by visiting their website at www.americanexpress.com. For packages, I recommend Federal Express, UPS or DHL international packaging services.
To have something sent to you, tell the sender to print in legible block letters and underline your surname. Example:
SIMPSON, Bart
c/o American Express Client Letter Service
15 Kasrel Nil St .
Downtown
POB 2160
Egypt
or,
SIMPSON, Bart
Poste Restante
GPO Bangkok
Charoen Krung (New) Rd.
Bangkok
Thailand
Even if you don't have an exact address, letters addressed to "GPO" and the name of the (major) city, and country will all go to the same general mailing facility. Which is the main post office of any given major city. A note of caution: tell people not to send cash. Also, if you are posting a letter to send home, it's a good idea to ask the postal clerk to cancel your stamped letter in your presence. (Internal stamp theft is not unheard of.)
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Internet Email
E-mail, is without a doubt the easiest way for travelers to communicate. If you really care to stay in touch with people while on the road, you must have an e-mail address.
The most popular e-mail services, like Hotmail and YahooMail, are provided free of charge and are accessible from any of the Internet access businesses springing up globally (e.g. Internet/cyber cafes). Just like your Internet service at home, you can establish communications with anyone in the world for only the cost of the business’ access fee. It’s a pretty good deal and the best way for people to reach you, wherever you are. To get your personal e-mail address, simply locate a computer with an Internet service and log onto either your personal account or one of the many free e-mail services. If you are sort of new to the whole Internet thing, an Internet access business or a fellow traveler can help set you up. |
