Page 41 - The Stans of Central Asia: Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan

• Your Trip Leader will give you details on the optional tours while you’re on the trip.
But if you’d like to look over descriptions of them earlier, you can do so at any time by
referring to your Day-to-Day Itinerary (available online by signing into My Account at
www.oattravel.com/myaccount).

Communications

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home. For example, there is only one cell phone provider in Turkmenistan, text messaging is
generally not supported, and iPhones usually do not work in Turkmenistan. As times progress,
more and more mobile services are appearing, especially in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, while
Uzbekistan and Tajikistan still have progress to make.

To ensure you are available during your trip to friends and relatives at home, you will receive
two copies of your hotel list, including phone numbers, with your Final Documents. One
copy is for you to bring, and one to leave behind with friends or relatives in case they need to
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family that you will not be immediately available at all times during your trip.

Cell Phones

If you want to use your cell phone on the trip, check with your phone provider to see if your
phone and service will work outside of the U.S. It may turn out to be cheaper to rent an
international phone or buy a SIM card onsite. If you want to use a local SIM, just make certain
your phone can accept one.

TIP: ?SP XZ^_ OTʯN`W_ [WLNP _Z ʭYO NPWW [SZYP ^P]aTNP ZY _ST^ T_TYP]L]d bTWW MP ?`]VXPYT^_LYɨdZ` XLd T_
ʭYO TX[Z^^TMWP _Z RP_ NPWW [SZYP ^P]aTNP _SP]P ^Z dZ` XLd YPPO _Z ]PWd ZY _SP SZ_PW [SZYP TY^_PLO

Calling Apps
Another option is to use a smartphone app like Skype or FaceTime. These services are usually
less expensive than making a traditional call, but you’ll need a Wi-Fi connection and the calls
may count towards your phone plan’s data allowance. Many smartphones—and some tablets
or laptops—come with one of these apps pre-installed or you can download them for free
from the appropriate apps store.

Calling Cards and 1-800 Numbers
When calling the U.S. from a foreign country, a prepaid calling card can be useful because it
circumvents unexpected charges from the hotel. Calling cards purchased locally are typically
the best (less expensive, more likely to work with the local phones, etc.).

One reminder: Do not call U.S. 1-800 numbers outside the continental United States. This can
result in costly long distance fees, since 1-800 numbers do not work outside the country.

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