Vivan los mineros! Viva Chile!

Just wanted to drop a quick note to capture the feeling of the day.

In case you haven't watched the news, the 33 miners that had been trapped for more than 2 months underground are making their way out. Starting last night at about 5 pm, all the news stations began covering the last stages of this remarkable rescue. There was only one feed from the top of the hill where the team was working so all the video feeds were the same thing and, more or less, all the reporters were saying the same thing. As if the anticipation wasn't already jacked up enough, many of the stations showed numerous special stories about all different aspects of the experience that these men, their families, the community, the president, the minister of mining and even the media had gone through. At almost midnight, the rescue capsule finally reached the den where the men have been waiting anxiously for nearly 70 days. Some 20 minutes later, the capsule poked out from the hole in the ground and the entire country gasped. The first miner came out of the capsule with a big smile and immediately hugged his crying son. This was just the first of the 33 but everyone suddenly felt such joy at an accomplished mission. They really did it and I still think most people can't quite believe it has worked out as well as it has.

The Chileans are so very proud of this moment and what it means to the history of their country. The news constantly reminds the viewers that the entire world is watching what's coming out of that small hole in the middle of desert of northern Chile. I think we, in the US, take for granted how often our news is everyone's news. In Chile, there isn't much attention given to the comings and goings of life here around the world so this is a truly special moment. I heard one TV reporter mention that this news story will be the thing that people will begin to remember Chile for instead of some of the less favorable memories some may still harbor. Before this, most people around the world who knew Chile was a country and not something you put on your food to make it spicy, might have mentioned the recent earthquake. Obviously, the earthquake was a tragic experience for the people and not something most would classify as a happy memory. Others might think of Salvador Allende, the US backed overthrow of his government and the subsequent presidency of General Pinochet that was filled with oppression and human rights abuses. These definitely aren't the type of associations most Chileans would want you to think about when mentioning their beloved country's name. This incredible rescue is something that every person is proud of. Chile, and it's people, have done something never before accomplished. No one had ever been trapped underground for that amount of time and come out alive. No one had ever been trapped underground that deep and lived to tell the tale. Chile now has 32 heroes of their own (1 is Bolivian). They've shown the world that hope and strength of mind can get us through some of the most desperate situations we could ever imagine. For these men, life will never be the same. In some ways, I think the same could be said for the country.