The Fallen
Easter Island was my 36th birthday present to myself. At home the doctors were studying scans and images of a ‘potential breast lump’… and I needed to change my thinking ASAP so my father and I packed up for an adventure.
I heard others say the story of Easter Island is a small example of what is to come for the entire earth if the warnings and teachings of this story are not followed. I’ve learned that truth can only be ascertained if experience first hand. Therefore, to find out the truth about the stories of the Island I decided to see for myself.
What I learned was unexpected. Physically I thought the island would still be primitive and mystically the legend would still be intact. On the very first day our guide named Terry who was a 5th generation islander popped that bubble. He told us that Halloween had arrived to the island along with ‘the global warming thing.’ I nervously laughed out loud.
My research prior to stepping onto the island led me to believe that the island was stripped of its trees in order to move the statues from the volcanoes in the centre of the island to the coast. In addition, the trees were also cut to build the homes, boats and to fuel the fires. When the last tree was cut rumour states that the boats and homes were slowly burned to keep warm and cook food until no more wood was available. This end lead to cannibalism and the fall of a great civilization. According to Terry not many trees were felled in order to move the statues at all. In fact, according to the stories passed down from generations, the statues were ‘walked’ to their position. The Fall came from invaders and explores who travelled to the island with disease and a need to control. The statues were made and placed as figure heads (tomb stones) for prominent men that died in each clan. Yet again, in contrast, another tour group we encountered from Princess Cruises was being taught that the statues were strictly built to frighten away people who were planning to come onto the island. (Nothing to see here… back to the all you can eat buffet.)
Questioning the contradictory stories I began looking at the details instead. The statues were eroding at a rapid pace. The ones still standing have been generously restored by other countries as a reminder of what once was… as well as a coming together to save what is remaining. Of course it can be argued that the statues are just ‘things’. Rocks carved by men long gone. My questions began to swirl around the real things that we need like air and water the quality of which is also diminishing at a rapid rate. Who or which nations are lending a helping hand to restore the erosion of the basic necessities of life? … is it important yet?… Meaning how much more damage do we need to see before we choose to honour that which is really sacred?
Ironically, my question was answered on the flight home before we left the tarmac. A friendly voice came over the loud speaker and announced that a non-toxic pesticide was going to be sprayed- inside the plane- with the air filters off and doors locked. Perhaps this is not new to you… however for myself, this was the first experience of knowingly being forced to breath in a chemical with unknown side effects… I was not pleased. I am aware that pests introduced to new territories can do damage to wild life and the environment. However, I also know that pesticides are not non-toxic. Something designed by man to kill an insect has the power to damage me too. Clearly little thought is given to the quality of air needed inside the plane as well as the health of the passengers. Then again I did choose and pay for a 20+ hour flight and I’m certain the jet fuel in the atmosphere is no better. Which brought me to my final conclusion… even with pure intentions ‘explorers’ still carry disease.
