It’s crazy to think of what connecting to people overseas used to be like, when international phone calls cost $164 per minute and there was a 15 second delay after each person spoke. I remember when I traveled around Europe 7 years ago in 2009. WiFi really wasn’t a thing yet, so checking emails and Facebook only happened when I was able to track down an internet cafe every 5 days or so. I had a mobile phone, but limited myself to sending 1 text message per day back home off my prepaid European sim card, as each text cost something like $2 each. I remember feeling completely disconnected to my family back home and at times extremely homesick.
I really don’t think I’d be able to live overseas now if the technology to communicate was the same as it was in 2009. These days, I’m always connected to my family and friends back home. I’m always texting my Mum and sister on What’sApp, chatting via voice call, or showing off the gorgeous city of New York to my friends via video call. Before I left Melbourne, I helped my Mum put up her Christmas tree, with the help of my little niece. We’ve always done this together, so when I got back to New York, I made sure I video called my Mum and sister while I was decorating my tree!
As much as I love being in New York, it’s hard knowing I’m going to be away from my loved ones this Christmas. It’s important to stay connected with your loved ones during the holiday season, especially if they’re 10,000 miles away like mine are. However, thanks to Telstra, staying connected is easier than ever. Even though I won’t physically be with my family on Christmas Day, I’ll be video calling with my family, and wishing them a very Merry Christmas!
I’ve already video called my Mum who helped me with a trial run of her famous Christmas pavlova recipe. It’s a family tradition for us to have her pavlova for dessert every year after Christmas lunch, so I couldn’t miss out on that even though I’m in New York! I’ll definitely be serving this up for my guests on Christmas Day, and will probably need to give her another call as I don’t think I’ve mastered it quite yet! Nothing better than being able to keep that family tradition alive even though we’re in different countries.
My sister and my nieces in Melbourne, Australia video calling me in New York on their Samsung tablet via Telstra!
