Charging your stuff - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**Slacker** · 03-19-2006, 05:19 PM

When did you guys find time to charge your things??

Let me elaborate.

I have a digital camera that I have to take the battery out of and put it into a charger that plugs into the power outlet. Same idea for my MP3 player (that im considering purchasing for my trip).

Now I know that the hostels I am going to be in will have power outlets, but what I am worried about is letting something charge while I am sleeping. I am worried that since I will be unaware somebody will steal yer stuff. What are your thoughts on this? Do they steal your stuff? What do you do to stop them from stealing it? How do you guys deal with charging your electronics?

Thx.

**LostFarmboy** · 03-19-2006, 06:01 PM

i just charged my batteries whenever, i didn't really worry about people stealing them, most people in the hostels i stayed at were pretty cool. However, i would have been a little more cautious if i was charging an MP3 player and would have asked the people behind the front counter if i could charge it in their office or something like that.

**bluepea** · 03-19-2006, 07:05 PM

Two other options - in some (most?) bathrooms they have outlets for shaving or whatever. You can plug in more valuable items while you're showering/shaving or whatever. Also, if you're relaxing in your room for a little bit or reading before bed or whatever, you can plug it in.

**omisan** · 03-19-2006, 11:22 PM

I usually charge stuff while I'm sleeping, but in places where security's been a bit more of a concern, I'd charge up during breakfast/dinner/reading/TV time. I've noticed, though, as MP3 players, phones, and digital cameras have become more prevalent among backpackers that more people are letting them charge out in the open any ol' time.

soma77 · 05-02-2006, 09:14 PM

this may go into stupid questions from first time travelers: i'm assuming that a lot of the reference here is about charging while in a hostel, but is it rude to just find a cafe with an outlet and plug in?

i'm used to business travel in the us and the road warriors are plugging their shit in anywhere and everywhere there's a plug to be had. people at starbucks do battle over outlets. which is amusing because they're in ties.

does the same go for over seas or not? should you even expect that cafes in most european countries will have some outlets scattered around?

**omisan** · 05-02-2006, 11:10 PM

Quote:

is it rude to just find a cafe with an outlet and plug in?

I've never had a problem with it, but depending on the type of establishment, I'll ask first. If it's a small store/cafe/etc. I'll definitely ask them. If I'm at an airport lounge, hotel lobby, etc. I usually just plug-in and no one ever tells me not to

Also, if it's a place with Wi-Fi connectivity, there are tons of people plugging in with laptops, so I'm assuming they won't mind!

soma77 · 05-06-2006, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by omisan@May 3 2006, 02:10 AM
I've never had a problem with it, but depending on the type of establishment, I'll ask first. If it's a small store/cafe/etc. I'll definitely ask them. If I'm at an airport lounge, hotel lobby, etc. I usually just plug-in and no one ever tells me not to

Also, if it's a place with Wi-Fi connectivity, there are tons of people plugging in with laptops, so I'm assuming they won't mind!

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thanks for the advice omisan, much obliged. ~C

**elfmaiden** · 05-16-2006, 05:52 AM

I did read an article about people being locked out of airport outlets and the like, and hopefully this trend doesn't continue. Not that airports are always the friendliest of places, but come on! Someone I have a LONG wait there.

Here's a link to the article and caption:

Open forum for travelers locked out of airport electricity