On Hold (Hold On)

I'm on hold with a telco company. The guy I'm talking to is Irish. Its 8am and he put me on a hold thats silent, "because its a bit early in the day for that music isn't it, love?". I'm so grateful to hear a human voice. Some weird glitch has had the telco accepting money from me but not actually topping up my phone - leaving me data- and connection- less suddenly. Finding the right buttons to mash through to robot system to get a human has taken several hours.  

I had tried topping up several times over the last couple of days, essentially firing money off into the ether with no service. The details are boring - but the relevance of it is that I was beginning to run perilously low in my UK account.

And back in NZ, my NZ bank is getting attacked digitally, so as a foreigner, I've been cut off from accessing my account. Unless by phone. You can see the problem here right?

("Hon, I'm going to put you on the music hold - this is going to take a while and I don't want you to think we're abandoning you.")

I'm not homesick but I do feel far away - being here has raised the concept of digital citizenship. I noticed when I first came that the ads and algorithms (not just on Facebook) were completely different. There are several apps I can't buy and download on my phone without switching to the UK based app shop. The marvel of the modern world baffles and confounds me at times.

I think back to travelling with Mum back in 2007 with travellers cheques. To times when I hid US dollars in my shoes as I crossed borders. Its not like travelling or living overseas was easier in the past - just that I realise I have really taken for granted the connectivity I have when my physical location matches my digital location.

I'm still on hold. 

I haven't heard Dave Dobbyn or Bic Runga yet. 

I'm  truly far from home.  

Don't even get me started on MIQ.