I have tried and tried and tried to restrain myself over the last twelve hours from posting about this amazing story, but...
the drama
the engineering
the geology
the spirit
the heart
the emotion
the endurance
the fortitude
in short, la fuerza of these 33 men (as of this moment, Dario Segovia, Miner #20 to the surface) has driven me to it. To say nothing of hearing Mario Sepulveda speaking at length and from the heart (yes, I understood him w/o the translator)....
As well as the five rescuers who have descended into the Mina San Jose.
As well as the drilling teams, geologists, engineers, mining specialists, Presidente de Chile, the family members, Camp Esperanza...
Who can say that the country of Chile (the 9.2 earthquake in February, remember) is not the story of the year and these miners the Men of the Year?
Cynthia H.
Stunned, amazed
Los mineros de Chile! Chilean miner rescue AMAZING!
Last edited by cynthia_h on Thu Oct 14, 2010 1:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Back to the house now from doctor appt. and errands. WOW! Miner #30 just came up from Hades to the daylight of Earth.
Chile has overcome twin disasters this year: the earthquake and the mine collapse. Ironically, it is the rescue of the 33 men in the mine rather than the outstanding engineering which prevented massive loss of life in February for which Chile will take its position now on the world stage. Both triumphs should bolster Chilean national pride and self-image.
The interview of Pres. Piñera by Tim Willcox of BBC was one I am glad I saw; such national dreams are indeed worth pursuing.
...¡Viva Chile y los mineros!
Cynthia
Chile has overcome twin disasters this year: the earthquake and the mine collapse. Ironically, it is the rescue of the 33 men in the mine rather than the outstanding engineering which prevented massive loss of life in February for which Chile will take its position now on the world stage. Both triumphs should bolster Chilean national pride and self-image.
The interview of Pres. Piñera by Tim Willcox of BBC was one I am glad I saw; such national dreams are indeed worth pursuing.
...¡Viva Chile y los mineros!
Cynthia
And, months/weeks/hours sooner than had *ever* been anticipated, all of the men were/are out of the mine.
As I write this, they are all in a hospital in Copiapó, the nearest municipality, for medical evaluation, dental work (several of them will need general anesthesia due to the extent of the work needed), and re-acclimation to the surface. Their vision, particularly, needs to be protected.
Florencio Avalos, Miner #1, emerged shortly after midnight local time (Chile) in the early hours of Wednesday, October 13.
Luis Urzua, Miner #33, the shift foreman/leader, emerged less than 22 hours later.
The six rescue team members who had descended into the mine to assist the miners also emerged in rapid order, after the on-the-surface jubilation over the miners' 100% successful
rescue had abated.
This was an international rescue effort, with German, American, South African, and other mine-rescue, drilling, and additional specialists lending their advice and expertise. But the Chileans had taken the bit in their teeth as soon as they knew the miners were alive, back in August, and before they knew anyone would help them at all.
Remember: the initial estimates were that the miners would need to endure until Christmas. This estimate was based on equipment present in Chile at the time and the best/safest methods available in country then.
When larger/stronger/different equipment was offered from other countries, Chile readily accepted the offer, hoping against hope that it would help get the miners out sooner and more safely.
The rescue was given only a 2% chance of success at the beginning, according to Presidente Piñera. The Chilean mining and engineering experts he consulted gave very low chances of success, but everyone recommended going for it, because it was unthinkable to them to simply abandon the men. Gracias a Dios / Gottseidank / Thank God.
During the hours I was home yesterday, I had two windows open on my computer. One was streaming the BBC feed, with Tim Willcox--fluent in Spanish as well as his native British English--interviewing el Presidente, Mining Minister Golborne, a news anchor from Santiago, a movie director who had already begun to make a film about this hugely important episode in Chile's history almost as soon as the miners were known to be alive, a mother in the camp, a father in the camp, random Chileans--all because (unlike any non-Hispanic American news reporter I can think of) he *is* fluent in Spanish and not dependent on a crew of translators, etc. The night before, I had watched amazing Miner #2, Mario Sepúlveda, make his extended statement of philosophy and thanks and listen to every word of his I could hear.
It felt absolutely wonderful, uplifting, almost spiritual to be transfixed by such a story.
Need I say that the last time a world event so transfixed me was nine years, one month, and three days ago? Yes: September 11, 2001. I watched and listened to early morning news that day (from 6:00 to 8:10) and then drove to school, where I answered questions from students, parents, and staff all day about terrorism (this was before the connection to Islam was known), then Islam, the history of Islam and its sects, and so on down the line. I was known as not just a teacher of world history, but its perpetual student.
How wonderful, then, that the Chilean miner rescue was such an uplifting story, esp. when I remembered the all-consuming 9/11/01 disaster and its ongoing effects in our lives. The miner rescue will forever be the highlight of Chile's Bicentennial year. Pres. Piñera already has in mind establishing a museum dedicated to the Copiapó / San José Mine rescue, perhaps to include--but only if the author agrees--the note which put the rescue in motion:
"Estamos bien en el refugio. Los 33."
Cynthia
As I write this, they are all in a hospital in Copiapó, the nearest municipality, for medical evaluation, dental work (several of them will need general anesthesia due to the extent of the work needed), and re-acclimation to the surface. Their vision, particularly, needs to be protected.
Florencio Avalos, Miner #1, emerged shortly after midnight local time (Chile) in the early hours of Wednesday, October 13.
Luis Urzua, Miner #33, the shift foreman/leader, emerged less than 22 hours later.
The six rescue team members who had descended into the mine to assist the miners also emerged in rapid order, after the on-the-surface jubilation over the miners' 100% successful
rescue had abated.This was an international rescue effort, with German, American, South African, and other mine-rescue, drilling, and additional specialists lending their advice and expertise. But the Chileans had taken the bit in their teeth as soon as they knew the miners were alive, back in August, and before they knew anyone would help them at all.
Remember: the initial estimates were that the miners would need to endure until Christmas. This estimate was based on equipment present in Chile at the time and the best/safest methods available in country then.
When larger/stronger/different equipment was offered from other countries, Chile readily accepted the offer, hoping against hope that it would help get the miners out sooner and more safely.
The rescue was given only a 2% chance of success at the beginning, according to Presidente Piñera. The Chilean mining and engineering experts he consulted gave very low chances of success, but everyone recommended going for it, because it was unthinkable to them to simply abandon the men. Gracias a Dios / Gottseidank / Thank God.
During the hours I was home yesterday, I had two windows open on my computer. One was streaming the BBC feed, with Tim Willcox--fluent in Spanish as well as his native British English--interviewing el Presidente, Mining Minister Golborne, a news anchor from Santiago, a movie director who had already begun to make a film about this hugely important episode in Chile's history almost as soon as the miners were known to be alive, a mother in the camp, a father in the camp, random Chileans--all because (unlike any non-Hispanic American news reporter I can think of) he *is* fluent in Spanish and not dependent on a crew of translators, etc. The night before, I had watched amazing Miner #2, Mario Sepúlveda, make his extended statement of philosophy and thanks and listen to every word of his I could hear.
It felt absolutely wonderful, uplifting, almost spiritual to be transfixed by such a story.
Need I say that the last time a world event so transfixed me was nine years, one month, and three days ago? Yes: September 11, 2001. I watched and listened to early morning news that day (from 6:00 to 8:10) and then drove to school, where I answered questions from students, parents, and staff all day about terrorism (this was before the connection to Islam was known), then Islam, the history of Islam and its sects, and so on down the line. I was known as not just a teacher of world history, but its perpetual student.
How wonderful, then, that the Chilean miner rescue was such an uplifting story, esp. when I remembered the all-consuming 9/11/01 disaster and its ongoing effects in our lives. The miner rescue will forever be the highlight of Chile's Bicentennial year. Pres. Piñera already has in mind establishing a museum dedicated to the Copiapó / San José Mine rescue, perhaps to include--but only if the author agrees--the note which put the rescue in motion:
"Estamos bien en el refugio. Los 33."
Cynthia
Last edited by cynthia_h on Thu Oct 14, 2010 5:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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thanrose
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Thank you for your beautiful words, Cynthia.
It's too emotional for me right now. Then I have this whole cognitive dissonance thing going on about why this should move me so much when there is always so much tragedy in the world.
Then I hear, "Chi! Chi! Chi! Le! Le! Le!" and it starts to make sense again.
It's too emotional for me right now. Then I have this whole cognitive dissonance thing going on about why this should move me so much when there is always so much tragedy in the world.
Then I hear, "Chi! Chi! Chi! Le! Le! Le!" and it starts to make sense again.
There is always tragedy in the world; that's what the "news" is. I keep telling myself that the ordinary, the mundane, the quotidian is good, normal, calm. Yes, I keep telling myself that....
Whatever is shocking, criminal, wrong, makes the "news." Also, what is political and needful to know for our information (used to be; now it's often a matter of splitting the viewpoint very narrowly) as--ahem--citizens is "news."
Very rare is an uplifting, wonderful, and 100% successful enterprise such as this. When the whole world can share in it at once, we join into what perhaps we could be.
Undying phrases:
"Estamos bien en el refugio. Los 33."
"...¡Chi-Chi-Chi le-le-le! Los mineros de Chile!"
Willcox: "Mr. President, how much did this rescue operation cost?" Piñera: "It was worth it." Willcox: "Millions?" Piñera: "Many millions, but it doesn't matter."
On the subject of the miners who are suing the government about conditions in the mine (but maybe they're suing the mining company and others?), Pres. Piñera refused to be baited: "It is their right; they are exercising their rights."
Other favorite phrases from this rescue?
Cynthia
Whatever is shocking, criminal, wrong, makes the "news." Also, what is political and needful to know for our information (used to be; now it's often a matter of splitting the viewpoint very narrowly) as--ahem--citizens is "news."
Very rare is an uplifting, wonderful, and 100% successful enterprise such as this. When the whole world can share in it at once, we join into what perhaps we could be.
Undying phrases:
"Estamos bien en el refugio. Los 33."
"...¡Chi-Chi-Chi le-le-le! Los mineros de Chile!"
Willcox: "Mr. President, how much did this rescue operation cost?" Piñera: "It was worth it." Willcox: "Millions?" Piñera: "Many millions, but it doesn't matter."
On the subject of the miners who are suing the government about conditions in the mine (but maybe they're suing the mining company and others?), Pres. Piñera refused to be baited: "It is their right; they are exercising their rights."
Other favorite phrases from this rescue?
Cynthia
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thanrose
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Ah yes, that's it.cynthia_h wrote:Very rare is an uplifting, wonderful, and 100% successful enterprise such as this. When the whole world can share in it at once, we join into what perhaps we could be.
We couldn't really see what was happening in Haiti. There was too much: no single shaft, no single goal in sight. We may know that our donations have gone to do some good, and we may know of rescue personnel in our areas that are down there still, but we can't take much joy in small successes that characterize such rebuilding post earthquake.
I'm still aware of what I've contributed for help in Haiti, and in some cases that's help to support agencies working here that have had to divert staff and materiel to Haiti. I haven't contributed medical supplies to the Chilean effort or raised money for them, but I feel a part of the world community that rallied to this effort.
It IS hope-filled and positive and life-affirming. Thanks, again, Cynthia.
I could'nt help to search "Chile" en the finder of the forum, just looking for some fellow chilean gardening tips, and I found this.
It is hard to explain (even more, in a language I don't quite manage yet) the pride and emotion that the miner's rescue brought.
And 2010 had another tragedy in hands for Chile: the fire in the San Miguel Prison, wich was overcrowded and did not result good at all, a sad sad story. There are always things to improve.
That does'nt change the fact that the miner's rescue was a story that moved a lot of people here in Chile and around the world
It is hard to explain (even more, in a language I don't quite manage yet) the pride and emotion that the miner's rescue brought.
And 2010 had another tragedy in hands for Chile: the fire in the San Miguel Prison, wich was overcrowded and did not result good at all, a sad sad story. There are always things to improve.
That does'nt change the fact that the miner's rescue was a story that moved a lot of people here in Chile and around the world
