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bare_bearI know I said I was going to post about the Unruly Turkey today, but considering current events, I'd rather post about the Chilean mine rescue. As a geologist who has worked in an underground mine before, whose father worked in mines for years and whose friends and school mates still do, who's known someone who died in a rock collapse in a mine, this whole situation has definitely hit home.
I'm so utterly moved by the miners resilience and attitude with the entire situation. But I'm not that surprised, either. It's a different kind of person who chooses to work underground and stay working underground after your first trip. There's also a bond you form with the other people down there, even under the best circumstances; hell, I was only working underground for a few months, and I felt it.
This is absolutely amazing. It's taking me forever to type this because I keep going back to watch the live feed. :) The 4th miner has come up, Carlos Mamani, and I don't think I'll ever forget the smile on his beautiful wife''s face! He'd only worked in the mine for 5 days before the collapse. Talk about a rough first week of work!
Wow, the capsule is looking really banged up. They've apparently built several of them, just in case. They may be needed if this one keeps taking a beating.
Oh man, the next guy to come up, Jimmy Sanchez, is only 19 years old! Poor kid. 2:35 am here, and the capsule has landed underground again. I love the underground feed. Everyone looks relaxed, which I great. I wish I could understand what they're saying. Sorry, I know this has become a bit of a commentary as it happens, but I'm absolutely moved to tears and I can't help myself! :) I'm going to head to bed after Jimmy reaches the surface again. Heh, so much for getting to bed early tonight, but I don't even care; this is amazing and happening much MUCH sooner than I ever expected.
And there it goes, the capsule containing Jimmy Sanchez is on it's way up (2:56 am).
This whole thing is unbelievable. That the miners were able to make 48 hours worth of rations last 17 days before rescue workers were able to contact them; that they were able to drill this 2 foot wide hole in only 33 days (that's incredibly hard to do with that wide of a hole!); that Chile was willing to do whatever it took to help the miners, including bring in foreign aid (although the comments I'm seeing in places where some American commenters are patting themselves on the back because "they" saved the day is tacky and annoying the crap out of me); that rescue workers were able to come up with this plan, along with 2 others just in case; that the miners are in such good spirits and health; that the health team have done such a good job keeping the miners healthy and prepared for this rescue; all of it is spectacularly amazing!
(This was supposed to be a short post, but I'm tired and waiting for Jimmy Sanchez to reach the surface, and I'm babbling. :D)
Sanchez's father is waiting for him. Wow. I can't describe how happy it makes me that these men all survived the collapse, and that they're on their way home now. I'm in tears. :') I keep imagining them as friends who work underground now.
Any minute now. AND IT'S UP! Poor guy, he looks really shaky. His Dad gave him a huge hug, and guided him around. That has got to be a harrowing ride up.
Oh, looks like they've pulled out the capsule. Maybe they're switching it up for another one? Nope, looks like some maintenance, greasing parts, things like that. Hope it all goes well!
Just for my own references and quick links for tomorrow morning:
Live feed
Live commentary
Alright, I'm to bed. My thoughts are with the remaining 28 miners and 2 rescue workers still underground! God speed.
I'm so utterly moved by the miners resilience and attitude with the entire situation. But I'm not that surprised, either. It's a different kind of person who chooses to work underground and stay working underground after your first trip. There's also a bond you form with the other people down there, even under the best circumstances; hell, I was only working underground for a few months, and I felt it.
This is absolutely amazing. It's taking me forever to type this because I keep going back to watch the live feed. :) The 4th miner has come up, Carlos Mamani, and I don't think I'll ever forget the smile on his beautiful wife''s face! He'd only worked in the mine for 5 days before the collapse. Talk about a rough first week of work!
Wow, the capsule is looking really banged up. They've apparently built several of them, just in case. They may be needed if this one keeps taking a beating.
Oh man, the next guy to come up, Jimmy Sanchez, is only 19 years old! Poor kid. 2:35 am here, and the capsule has landed underground again. I love the underground feed. Everyone looks relaxed, which I great. I wish I could understand what they're saying. Sorry, I know this has become a bit of a commentary as it happens, but I'm absolutely moved to tears and I can't help myself! :) I'm going to head to bed after Jimmy reaches the surface again. Heh, so much for getting to bed early tonight, but I don't even care; this is amazing and happening much MUCH sooner than I ever expected.
And there it goes, the capsule containing Jimmy Sanchez is on it's way up (2:56 am).
This whole thing is unbelievable. That the miners were able to make 48 hours worth of rations last 17 days before rescue workers were able to contact them; that they were able to drill this 2 foot wide hole in only 33 days (that's incredibly hard to do with that wide of a hole!); that Chile was willing to do whatever it took to help the miners, including bring in foreign aid (although the comments I'm seeing in places where some American commenters are patting themselves on the back because "they" saved the day is tacky and annoying the crap out of me); that rescue workers were able to come up with this plan, along with 2 others just in case; that the miners are in such good spirits and health; that the health team have done such a good job keeping the miners healthy and prepared for this rescue; all of it is spectacularly amazing!
(This was supposed to be a short post, but I'm tired and waiting for Jimmy Sanchez to reach the surface, and I'm babbling. :D)
Sanchez's father is waiting for him. Wow. I can't describe how happy it makes me that these men all survived the collapse, and that they're on their way home now. I'm in tears. :') I keep imagining them as friends who work underground now.
Any minute now. AND IT'S UP! Poor guy, he looks really shaky. His Dad gave him a huge hug, and guided him around. That has got to be a harrowing ride up.
Oh, looks like they've pulled out the capsule. Maybe they're switching it up for another one? Nope, looks like some maintenance, greasing parts, things like that. Hope it all goes well!
Just for my own references and quick links for tomorrow morning:
Live feed
Live commentary
Alright, I'm to bed. My thoughts are with the remaining 28 miners and 2 rescue workers still underground! God speed.
