I've been trying to decide whether or not I should buy a Kindle to take to Honduras.
Pros:
-Very light-weight compared to paper books
-Wide selection of books available
-Affordability of books (after initial cost of the Kindle itself)
-Quicker to get new books as opposed to traveling to a bookstore or mail
-Conversation starter?
Cons:
-Risk of theft or getting lost/broken
-It would be something that many Hondurans don't have (I don't want to own a lot of stuff that separates me from the people in my community-- I'm not even sure I want to take my laptop)
-I'd have to worry about maintaining it/keeping it safe
-Access to/dependability of electricity in my house may be questionable
I like books and want access to both technical/academic books and books for pleasure while I'm serving in the Peace Corps. The other option to the Kindle is of course bringing a few paper books with me, then buying more while I'm there or having them shipped to me. Though I know that mailing things is expensive and takes forever, especially things that weigh as much as books. Also, I'm not sure what to expect in terms of selection of books at librerias in Honduras.
Pros:
-Very light-weight compared to paper books
-Wide selection of books available
-Affordability of books (after initial cost of the Kindle itself)
-Quicker to get new books as opposed to traveling to a bookstore or mail
-Conversation starter?
Cons:
-Risk of theft or getting lost/broken
-It would be something that many Hondurans don't have (I don't want to own a lot of stuff that separates me from the people in my community-- I'm not even sure I want to take my laptop)
-I'd have to worry about maintaining it/keeping it safe
-Access to/dependability of electricity in my house may be questionable
I like books and want access to both technical/academic books and books for pleasure while I'm serving in the Peace Corps. The other option to the Kindle is of course bringing a few paper books with me, then buying more while I'm there or having them shipped to me. Though I know that mailing things is expensive and takes forever, especially things that weigh as much as books. Also, I'm not sure what to expect in terms of selection of books at librerias in Honduras.
Mailing takes forever?
ReplyDeleteIt depends on where you are going to live. If you live in one of the bigger cities (Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba) it usually takes about 7 days more (or less) than the delivery date in the US (provided you have a courier service).
I Shop at Amazon semi regularly (though not recently).
I have a daughter in the Peace Corps in Niger, and I recently purchased Kindles for myself and two family members. Of course, I have thought it would be great to send a Kindle to my daughter as well, but you have already mentioned some reasons not to. I would add something else that you might not have considered ~ the Kindle has to communicate with Amazon in order to download books and other media, and I don't think the wireless service is covered outside of the U.S. It is probably possible to hook it up to a computer and download things that way, but your access to internet might not be sufficient for that. My daughter is able to go online once every few weeks, and the connection is often very poor.
ReplyDeleteOf course, you can load a Kindle up before you leave the country, but unfortunately, all your books would be gone the first time your Kindle crashes. Mine has crashed several times. The technology is very new. I've also had some problems with the battery getting drained if the Kindle is squeezed into luggage or my purse or under a stack of books.
But what you said about having a luxury item like that in a third world setting is true. My daughter has talked about the problems that arise from the fact that she has enough money to buy vegetables every day. She had to take some of her extra clothes to the Peace Corps building in a nearby city and store them in a locker, because people who have more than a few sets of clothing are regarded as wealthy.
If there is any way you can download a lot of reading material onto your laptop, and just take that, that might be the best you can do.
Good luck in your Peace Corps service. I have a lot of admiration for you and all the volunteers.
I work at Barnes and Noble, and we've just recently released nook, our e-reader. I have also been thinking about getting one before service, because it weighs about two pounds instead of twenty. However if you're already serving then someone would have to receive it and pre-load it for you, as even though it has wi-fi capabilities it does not work internationally. I can't speak for Kindle as far as wi-fi goes, but that's at least how it works for nook. The power button for nook is on the top, it's not very easy to turn on accidentally. You can also get an all-inclusive extended warranty, meaning accidental, everything.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I really want one, but not just yet. They need to make some improvements first.
Hi;
ReplyDeleteSuggest that you look up Walter Mossberg on the Internet before buying an eBook. His article on Dec. 10th discusses the Nook and also mentions the Kindle.
After seven tries with different eBooks, I personally have a preference for the Sony. My wife is committed to the ETI Bookwise-Fictionwise. We both have our reasons. Will be glad to explain if you desire.
Joe Maina
Peace Corps Offices generally have a Peace Corps Volunteer Center. Many have a library of books read and left by volunteers over the years. There are hundreds in our office. My son served in Honduras and mentioned at one time that there is a library in Tegus. I am in Saint Lucia. It took about a year for me to go through the books in the library, but there are books constantly coming in. Technology is expensive and what is new to them is old to us. I've only seen one since I've been here and that one is owned by a PCV. You are right, if you have it don't flaunt it. By the way I couldn't do without my laptop. Every Peace Corps Volunteer here has one. Those that didn't bring one (3 people) had a visitor bring them one. That and a Magic Jack were the two things that, if not brought, have been acquired. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteKaren
www.karensplanet.blogspot.com
Hey I just got invited to Honduras for health advising with staging on the february 22nd. I guess i'll see you in a little while. I'm inclined to bring my laptop but also I'm ok with the idea of having it die while i'm there.
ReplyDeleteAlex,
ReplyDeleteIf you are wondering what to expect in terms of books in Honduras at bookstores, expect very little. Book stores, if they exist in your area, will not have what you are looking for. Even in Teguz and SPS they are limited. The PC Office in Teguz has a decent amount of books, mostly fiction. If you are looking for technical stuff, your APCD and PTS will help you out with that. If you are looking for non-fiction books, literature, and special selections, buy your Kindle!!
Juancito
Hey Alex,
ReplyDeleteHope you are doing well. I have a small question! My boyfriend is preparing to leave for PC in a couple months and he doesn't know if he want to bring an e-reader or not... same reasons as yours. So I'm curious, did you bring one? if yes, do you use it, do you think you made a good decision, if not, do you regret it? anyone else with you who bought one?
I'm thinking about buying that for his birthday and your help would be useful, so thanks in advance for your answer!
Coline
I ended up not bringing one after all. And I feel good about it, though lots of my fellow PCVs down here do have one. The library in the PC office is sufficiently huge and I am not wont for books because of it. An e-book would have been just one more expensive thing to have to worry about here. Ultimately not necessary. Now, when I get back to the States, that's another story...
ReplyDelete