there is a certain "freedom" about NOT being able to be contacted at any minute of the day or night.. If I'm not home, people have to leave messages and I call them back when I want to - if I want to.. With a cell phone, if you don't immediately answer, people get butt hurt and think you're avoiding them..
I definitely understand that having a cell phone around while traveling could be beneficial - just in case you run out of gas or break down etc.. The camera would come in handy to shoot reference photos of stuff like car parts and recipes and whatnot..
But, to me, the advantages of having one are nowhere near the advantages of NOT having one.. But, that's just my opinion.. I think if I had kids I'd be more cell phone accepting..
Anyways, glad to see you haven't totally been assimilated and that there still is hope..
Friendship is like peeing your pants.. Everybody can see it, but only you can feel the warmth..