Ten years ago I took a trip to Europe where I did keep a journal. Every night I spent 45-60 minutes writing in the journal (very detailed) and ended up with a very sore hand (I don't like writing, it ends up sloppy). The last few days I end up too tired to keep it up any more. The last time I went to Mexico I had good intentions but just didn't stick with it for more than a couple days.

So with a 15 day trip coming up (Italian Escapade), I want to remember every moment with the same detail I kept from my first trip. But I don't want to write, just to have to type it up later.. I've come up with all sorts of ideas but the best seems to be using a lobby computer to do my journal since I can type very fast, then use a usb drive to store the documents. Is it reasonable to expect the hotels to have computer access and not as necessary but would be nice internet access? If so are they usually busy?

The other alternative I've considered is keeping a video diary and transcribing it later.

the free ones tend to be busy. Sometimes you have to pay for access - and the cost varies quite a bit. What about taking one of those small laptops? [9" screen] We have done that and downloaded our photos to it every night too. Ours cost $500 Can, and you could probably get it cheaper in the States.

I considered taking a laptop... I have one I use for work that I could take but its pretty heavy as laptops go. Unfortunately buying something smaller isn't in the budget.

I wouldn't mind paying a little bit for the computer access, unless the price is too outrageous.

"Public" computers in hotels are pretty rare these days, because "netbooks" (the very small laptops) are so popular; lots of people bring those.

The majority of hotels these days offer WiFi. This tends to be free in small hotels, and to be charged for in large ones.

Well I'll give heavy consideration to bringing the laptop then. I just hate to use up the precious pounds on carrying it. That reminds me, I need to double check the weight limits for our airline. At least I can keep it in the suitcase and not have to carry it anywhere. I really want to keep this journal and typing it just makes so much more sense... Actually the more I think about it I think carrying the extra weight will be worth it just for this ability.

I just returned from the 35 day European Heritage tour on Thursday. I kept a detailed journal (152 pages worth)and tried to write in it while on the bus. I also had my laptop with me. When the hotels offer free internet the computers are usually busy so that is when it is nice to have your own laptop. At times it was only free in the lobby so used my laptop there. Internet can be pricey so I would keep notes from my journal then when I had free or cheap internet would send updates to family and friends. Be considerate of your travel mates when using the hotel computers as it's not fair to use one for hours when others are waiting. Some hotels only have one and a couple of times the hotels had 3-6. In Paris, the internet was free but was unable to use my Mac. The hotel staff advised me that they won't work after several attempts I had it in my carry on for the flights but while on tour kept it in my suitcase. With Thomas Cook the maximum weight for carry ons was 5 kgs. For a tour that long, I was glad to have my laptop but if you're not attached to your computer and on a shorter tour, I would say leave it at home and take your chances using the hotel computers.
Brenda

Hi Flowers,
I was exactly in your dilemma when organising our last tour. Love writing journals but always, always get behind. If you do night optionals after a busy day it is hard to force yourself to write.

My lap top for work is heavy so didnt want to take that and didnt but REALLY wished that I had gone and purchased a small laptop that could fit into the hand bag. One of the other ladies had one and was very jealous! She was able to get Wi Fi in all the hotels and mostly that was free. She had set up skype and talked with her family and friends while sitting after the day tours enjoying a drink. It would be easier to sit up in bed when tired and type on a lighter one. So I am saving up to make sure that I organise this for the next time.
Understand the money issue for the moment but when I did the same tour a couple of years ago I did find there were a number of days that were long bus travelling days when I managed to catch up with my journal - if you can bear writing in a bus!

On our recent adventures most of the hotels had one computer and there was heavy demand for it and the expense varied - 20 Euroes for 15mins!! was the worst. Some had no computer at all as relied on travellers bringing their own laptop to use. The other thing with that it that ZGordon and Chris are correct - hard to be on it for a while when in great demand and with the optionals or tours leaving early or getting back late sometimes it is hard to find extra time to use it.

Solittletime has a good idea - hand luggage on the flights and in the suitcase under the bus during the days.
I also attached a recording device to the ipod and dictacted into that but found keeping a smaller note pad and jotting down info in summaries and expanding on that later was just as good.

Sorry - message longer than I thought! I hope you enjoy your trip - You will have a wonderful time.Italian Escapade 2007
This is a link to my tour tale of this trip if you are interested.
Cheers Eve

Travel guides such as Fodor's & Lonely Planet are good sources. I asked on LP Thorn Tree and krussia advised as follows:

There are several Internet cafes on Nevsky prospect across the way from Mayakovskaya metro station - Cafe Max is one, if I remember correctly. There is another one near Gostiny Dvor. Basically there is a new complex next to GD and then next to that an old building with a columned outdoor walkway. The internet cafe is in the back of that older building.

I have a harder time in Moscow with internet cafes, but I know there is one on Tverskaya on the right side if you are walking away from the Kremlin. It's not too far up from the Kremlin and is inside a building, a couple of flights up.

If you're staying in a nice enough hotel, though, they should have a business center.

That's true Firebird...but..
the tour your are on is very, very busy and you may not want to spend time getting to the cafes unless you really need to do so - transfering lots more money for instance!!
Flowers, however, who started this post is going to Italy.

You are correct about the business centres - it's just time choices - internet vs taking photos, internet vs exploring a wonderful new spot, internet vs relaxing with a drink, internet vs optionals etc.

I wonder, do Internet Cafes in Russia have keyboards with Roman scripts or Cyrillic scripts?

I have had enough trouble with German keyboards without trying to use a Cyrillic keyboard.