Welp, over two months have passed since the August 5th collapse of the San Jose mine near Copiapo, Chile, where 33 miners were trapped 700 meters (2,300 ft) below ground. The men were kept alive over that time by supplies delivered through narrow holes drilled down to them, and kept hope through video conferences with family - until two nights ago, when the first of the 33 miners was successfully lifted to the surface in a specially-designed rescue capsule. At 10:30 pm, Chilean time, all of the 33 men have now made it safely to the surface. Minutes later, fireworks erupted throughout the sky in Punta Arenas as Chilenos country-wide celebrated the successful rescue.
Language Lesson of the Day: Sebastián Piñera, president of Chile, served as a kind of master of ceremonies at the rescue, greeting the miners with paternal hugs and reassurance as they emerged from tunnel. He was quoted talking to one miner saying, “Thank you for everything, thank you for the inspiration. Welcome to life! Very few people have the privilege of being born again.”
Welcome to life! Very few people have the privilege of being born again. Say it with me now! ¡Bienvenido a la vida! Poquísimas personas tienen el privilegio de ser nacido otra vez.
I was glued to the coverage of the men coming up from the mine. What an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHave you arrived in Punta Arenas already? Fill us in on your travel there, accommodations, work and your sense of the area.
Miss you and love you,
Aunt Lucy