[snaimon]

To me it seems rather silly to spend $80 + shipping for a phone (Siemens A70 as you suggested) IF YOU DON'T need the phone but for 2 weeks, at least initially.

From the way you write, you and your family either have NO cell phone service or you have service with a non-GSM provider. OR you may wish to pick up a pre-pay service like T-MO and get a phone that way. Kicker is you must wait 90 days to unlock a pre-pay phone. There are ways around that -- anyone with postpay T-MO service could ask for the unlock code for you as if the phone were their own.

If you DO have GSM service, you might be able to have your current phone UNLOCKED so you could give that phone to your daughter. Then you could upgrade your handset for your US service.

A usable cell phone may be closer than you think. You cannot find anyone in the family or circle of friends with a spare phone?

Just two examples:

My son (21) just signed a new contract with T-MO for a year and got a new phone. I sold his old Nokia 6010 (850, 1900 -- no good for overseas) and he got a new quad band for free. After less than 4 weeks with the phone, it accidentally fell from his pocket into the toilet and now works intermittently. I have temporarily loaned him a spare phone. I have another clunker as backup.

Before Christmas 2005 a friend told me he was going to Portugal. I offered him my Riiing card and a phone. He found someone at work who had recently also been to Portugal on business who loaned him a phone and local SIM card.

It IS possible there are phones you can use near you.

Good luck,

Stan