Prologue
We discover in India that it’s a Continent–Country, gigantic, multiple.
Shortly after we arrived, around Bangalore, at a typical local restaurant – Domino’s Pizza – we had a conversation with a friendly man about languages in India.
He explained to us that there are more than 140 official languages, and that Hindi is spoken by less than 50% of the population.
I personally came to the conclusion that I had a better chance of making myself understood in English; I stopped learning Hindi with the apps on my mobile.
And honestly after more than 5 months in South India, I don’t remember any real communication issue.
Let’s get down to the facts. I tell here how I had a computer equipment built in a freestyle mode simply by asking some workers in a workshop found by chance in the streets. In a way, this is a good illustration of the introduction.
The digital nomad must be well equipped
Starting our new life as digital nomads, I realize that I miss the dual screen I had at work.
I am looking for what might be an alternative that works in the travel conditions.
Design (copy?)
I read quite many articles on that topic and after serious research I found the solution:
- An additional Android tablet (then I regret we sold the one we had in France, especially because I wanted to take it …)
- An app that transforms the Android tablet into an external screen either with Wi-Fi or USB cable
- A small device that allows you to attach the tablet to the side of the laptop screen
The app is easy to get from the Play Store and quite inexpensive, thus I look for a tablet.
I first thought about getting a second hand device and went to the IT / tech district of Chennai. I remember the prices were higher than I expected.
Therefore I bought a new Indian branded iBall tablet online with an 8 inch screen.
At last, regarding the third item, it seemed to me that it was going to be complicated and costly to be delivered to Chennai.
And so I decided to build it one way or another.
Production (project manager)
Shortly after, walking around the hotel, I passed by what appeared to be a welding workshop, manufacture of metal objects (furniture ..).
I introduced myself to the workers there and in no time I was able to explain to them what my project was. I had screen captures of what I had seen online, some sketches with measurements.
They saw no problem in making a similar item made of metal.
We agreed on the price, around ₹ 800 if I remember correctly and the work started.
I think it took them a little over an hour to do the job: cutting, bending, drilling and polishing.
I was as happy as a kid.
Do I need to explain that the experience I just had as a guest observer in the workshop was clearly more valuable than the item itself.
Epilogue
Metal it’s too heavy, I ended up parting with it. The item is stored in a safe place.
The idea is good … but better with other materials; if you buy it online, it will probably be made of plastic.
Since then, I often use this second screen trick, but I just put it somewhere on the desktop.
Nostalgia
At the time of writing, this leaves me all pensive.
How do you know how much you love the places you’ve been to?
I tell myself that if you’re like me, and just remembering some moments makes you 200% want to go back there instantly, well you’ve got the answer.