Spring Break
To the bottom of the Earth, blogging all the way
UConn student takes leave of absence to pursue chance of a lifetime
Mike Northup
Issue date: 12/4/08 Section: News
"The travel experience in general starts to feel normal after a while," Roy said. "It's not that I enjoy the trip less now than at the beginning, it's that, as time goes on, it becomes difficult to identify material that the reader will enjoy, and that isn't repetitive."
It is easier, Roy said, for him to maintain a Web site while on the road than when he was back in the United States, even though he doesn't carry a laptop with him while on the road.
While Roy had to use public libraries or borrow computers when still in the U.S., he said that every town in Central and South America with at least 2,000 people has an Internet café that is accessible. He said typically uploads photos from the larger towns, where Internet speed is faster and more reliable.
It costs about $0.50 to $2.00 per hour to use a computer at a cyber café, Roy said, which makes the Internet a luxury item for most people living there.
He recalled one wealthier family that he stayed with in Guatemala. The two sons were opening up an Internet café of their own. Their father, who lives in Florida, had to import all of the computer equipment from the U.S. because of the prohibitive cost of technology in Central America.
"They were a wealthy family, living in a big house with all the modern amenities," Roy said. "And they said that having everything imported was the only way that they could start the business."
Nevertheless, he said he has seen the youth in South and Central America embrace instant messaging and social networking sites such as Facebook.
Though he doesn't know the exact figures, Roy said that his Web site averages about 60 hits per day, which is more than he had anticipated it would. He said that it has also been linked to several travel and motorcycle forums as well.
"People seem to really enjoy hearing about the trip, and many people whom I've never met before have written to wish me luck and thank me for having the site," Roy said.
It is easier, Roy said, for him to maintain a Web site while on the road than when he was back in the United States, even though he doesn't carry a laptop with him while on the road.
While Roy had to use public libraries or borrow computers when still in the U.S., he said that every town in Central and South America with at least 2,000 people has an Internet café that is accessible. He said typically uploads photos from the larger towns, where Internet speed is faster and more reliable.
It costs about $0.50 to $2.00 per hour to use a computer at a cyber café, Roy said, which makes the Internet a luxury item for most people living there.
He recalled one wealthier family that he stayed with in Guatemala. The two sons were opening up an Internet café of their own. Their father, who lives in Florida, had to import all of the computer equipment from the U.S. because of the prohibitive cost of technology in Central America.
"They were a wealthy family, living in a big house with all the modern amenities," Roy said. "And they said that having everything imported was the only way that they could start the business."
Nevertheless, he said he has seen the youth in South and Central America embrace instant messaging and social networking sites such as Facebook.
Though he doesn't know the exact figures, Roy said that his Web site averages about 60 hits per day, which is more than he had anticipated it would. He said that it has also been linked to several travel and motorcycle forums as well.
"People seem to really enjoy hearing about the trip, and many people whom I've never met before have written to wish me luck and thank me for having the site," Roy said.
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