THURSDAY
A scene of joy and jubilation spread across this country and for that matter around the globe, as the last miner came out of the capsule and set foot above ground for the first time in 69 days. Meantime below, the 6 rescuers waited their turn and would finally emerge one by one, with the first man down Manuel Gonzalez, the last man out of the dungeon. I would love to meet that man…the one who volunteered to take the first ride down into depths of the earth, knowing he may never return.

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The celebration was amazing to see and feel here in person. Horns honked, lights flashed, confetti into the air and balloons filled the dark sky. People hugged and flags waved, as millions from around this globe witnessed the best ending anyone could have ever hoped for. This celebration in this bicentennial year for Chile will continue for some time to come and will be remembered for the ages.

This morning we have moved from the harsh conditions outside the mine to a spot right in front of the regional hospital in the city of Copiapo, about 35 miles away from the San Jose Mine. Here the men are said to be doing well, with the worst injury being pneumonia. Some though are suffering understandable emotional distress and may end up staying here at the hospital for more than the 2 days doctors had originally prescribed.

Late last night and just minutes before the final rescuer came out, President Sebastian Pinera told us in english that he was very pleased with the U.S. He said we are always the first to lend a hand and offer help of any type. He said we did that for their brutal earthquake earlier this year and again provided valuable support for this delicate and imperative operation. He said our two countries are good friends and that was great to hear and he also was very appreciative of the support from around the world.

WEDNESDAY
I’m at a loss for words this morning. Overnight the scene here, the scene across Chile, the scene around the globe, has been one of hope and excitement as each man steps foot above ground for the first time in 69 days. Each time into the arms of loved ones for a long and well deserved embrace, many of them have dreamed about since the accident that trapped them back on August 5th.

As the sun rises higher into the sky, more families continue to receive good news. The smiles, the joy, the relief can barely be imagined.

Each time the capsule reaches the bottom there is a cheer and each time it heads up, yet another cheer. When the miner takes the first step, a small celebration ensues and another family is one step closer to freedom from fear and relief from worry. However, they all stay…supporting others awaiting their turn.

As each miner is rescued, the celebration on TV screens across Chile reminds me of a world cup goal for this soccer crazy country. People dance, wave flags, cheer and celebrate as their “Angels of the Bicentennial”
are saved (more on that below). People here around our location huddled around bonfires cheer and clap and families embrace. They are all family to each other now and for time. As I see these faces light up with glee for each rescue, a helicopter passes above, taking the next miner on a 10 minute flight to the Copiapo Hospital about 35 miles away…across a vast and barren high desert these men have just left for good.

UPDATE 1
Family members bundled against the cold and holding little ones in many cases happily, yet cautiously scramble into a tent nearby. We are under the assumption they are the lucky first ones whose father/brother/son will hopefully emerge among the first.

While we stand next to the final gate about 200 yards from the mine, a bonfire has been lit just a few feet away. One of the miners families lives here, only under a canopy tent braving the brutal cold that has blanketed this remote desert.

One of the Chilean TV stations has hung a big screen so everyone can see the pool coverage and closeups of the capsule as it is altered and prepared a few last times before everything begins.

There is a buzz here….anticipation, hope, adrenaline everywhere; yet tense. As I type this I see two family members standing nearby. Holding Chilean flags and obviously nervous. I am also told the rescuers are in place and an issue with the bluetooth communication device in the capsule has been fixed.

FROM THE START
We are only a few feet from the gate, which sits atop a dusty road and not far from the entrance of the mine. Standing on a makeshift platform about 5 feet above the ground, my vantage point looks down the S-shaped road lined with camps of people holding vigil…intermixed with makeshift media compounds manned by people from around the globe.

Our trip to get to the San Juan Mine near Copiapo’ took us 11 hours via van and allowed us to see how this country has rallied around their countrymen buried 2,000 feet under the vast and barren Chilean Desert. Everywhere we went, or stopped, people were watching the events unfold on TV, or reading accounts in the newspapers. Signs of hope are everywhere and being that this impressive country celebrated its bicentennial just one month ago, some have resorted to calling these men “Angels of the Bicentennial.”

Spread out across the country and on a hillside above the San Jose Mine, millions hold vigil in hopes 33 men trapped two-thousand feet underground surface safe and sound. For 68 days supply holes have kept the men in touch with family, supplied with food and water…and connected to the outside world. Over the last few days as anticipation of the rescue built, encampments of friends and family grew and media swarmed from around the globe. Some have never left, turning their few feet of rocky barren desert into a makeshift home. Words of encouragement inscribed everywhere and on every thing.

We are told the capsule is barely wide enough to squeeze each man inside. Two rescuers, one a medic, will head down into the mine first, then one by one the men will be lifted to safety. The roundtrip is expected to take an hour and so far tests have worked without a hitch, but around the rescue site the atmosphere is tense, yet hopeful.

Across the country people are glued to any and all news.
I have so much moored to post. Hang with me. Have to do a little at a time because the internet connection here is so poor.