Easter Island: Day 1

Way back at the beginning of the month, while still in Lima, I paid a visit to the South American Explorers clubhouse for a little advice. While I was there, I talked to a man who had just returned from Easter Island. I told him my plans to go, and how excited I was. I asked him what he thought of it. His response was "I´ll tell you it was great since you´re so excited." He said all the maoi looked the same. Now, I´m glad I didn´t listen to him, because I know he is an idiot.

I left the hostel early Friday morning with Peter, a German backpacker on the same flight. I´ve never visited a place where people were more interested in the landing as they were on this one. As the plane began it´s descent, everyone craned their necks to see out the window and many grabbed their cameras. I definitely couldn´t see any maoi from the air, but there was an excitment on the plane I don´t think I´ve experienced before.

The German and I left the airport (one gate, only a few flights a week) to go to our hostel. While waiting for our room to be ready, we drank bright pink Kool-Aid prepared by the owner´s shirtless son. Island living.

We walked through town, which is the only town on the island, and not much, and out to the first maoi site. The first glimpse of maoi ranks way up there, and it was only a small taste. First thoughts: I think I´m gonna like it here. After a trip to the local museum to learn about all the theories behind the maoi, I was very excited to explore the rest of the island.

The first day brought me two other great joys: The ability to drink tap water AND flush paper down the toilet. When I first used the bathroom, I noticed the abscence of a bin, and kept thinking, what am I supposed to do with the paper? It was an embarassingly long time before I thought of the possibility of actually flushing it down the toilet. I stood there and watched, waiting for something terrible to happen. When it didn´t, I left the bathroom thinking, I am totally badass.

Tomorrow, I will hopefully be in Mendoza, Argentina, and should be able to upload some pictures. To be continued...