Sister via Satellite

[tugrik]

The phone rang at around 3am. Heya, bro! It was my little national-guard-brat sister. w00t! It's the fist time I've heard from her since she shipped out 3+ weeks ago.

She's not allowed to say where she is or any other 'sensitive info', which is understandable. She was able to say she was doing A-OK, though... and in fact is having a pretty good time of it so far. She was in her tent, on a break from her duties, chatting away with me on the Iridium handset my parents and I bought for her. It's powered by a tiny fold-out solar cel that she's got draped across the peak of the tent in the sun. Earlier she'd used it to call Mom and Dad as well as her boyfriend back here in the states.

Used Iridium Phone:  $800
Solar power system:  $110
Satphone service:    $0.92/minute

Hearing your little sis chat with you from a tent halfway around the globe, bouncy and laughing as if calling from across town?

Priceless.

Comments

[turbinerocks.livejournal.com]

Is she as much of a gearhead as you are? That is so damn cool. :D

[kibbles.livejournal.com]

That is incredibly cool. Glad she is able to get in touch with you like that! My ex husband used to call me from his sat. truck. Well. On the Army's dime. (Ooops.) Anyways, hope your sister stays safe, stays cool and comfortable, and gets home soon! (ANd hope she brought a camera and gets the chance to take some really cool pictures!)