What should a writer take on the road?

By Kathryn Lilley

Clare's post yesterday about her travels reminded me that I need to get ready for some upcoming globe hopping (Hong Kong and Vienna).  I'm beginning to wonder how I should handle my various devices (iPad, smart phone, Kindle, laptop) while overseas. For example, does 3G service by Apple and Amazon extend to Asia and beyond? Will I come home to a mega-roaming bill from Verizon if I so much as turn on my cell phone outside the continental United States? Do hotels nowadays provide the right kind of electrical outlets for Americans, or do we have to tote a converter in the luggage?

My husband recently had a nightmare experience with an iPad he'd purchased overseas (turns out it was sold without the right configuration for the US). He spent the better part of a day during a business trip getting the darned thing up and running.

So I'm looking for advice from any of our travel-savvy Zoners. Is there anything I should be sure to set up before we leave? Any cautionary tales or rules for the e-road?