As a child going to the school library was one of those things I truly looked forward to.  Not only did we get some “alone” time, but we were effectively “handed” the keys to the universe.  National Geographic magazines, encyclopedias, and rows of old musky books, each transporting you to far-flung places.  One of those far-flung places was Easter Island, the mystery of the Moai and the natives that no one knew (or would not dare admit) how they got to the island.  Who made the Moai and why?  Aliens? Not a chance.

I always dreamt of traveling to Rapa Nui and seeing the Moai in person.  It was a dream, a dream I did not want to go unfulfilled.  I asked ChatGPT about unfulfilled childhood dreams of far-flung places, and this is what it generated for me.

“In the depths of unfulfilled childhood dreams lie the seeds of regret that blossom with time. The yearning to traverse distant lands, to embrace the mystical wonders others describe, becomes an elusive melody, haunting our hearts as the years go by. For in the tapestry of life, those uncharted journeys left untaken weigh heavy on our souls, reminding us of the treasures we could have witnessed firsthand. So let us not delay, nor let dreams fade to mere whispers, for regret finds solace in the spaces between what we dared to explore and what we left behind."

Not wanting to delay this journey any longer, I gathered my things, and with my wife’s blessing, I traveled from Mexico City to Rapa Nui for my 50th birthday. As with all my other adventures, I researched my destination. What I learned was a sad story of a proud people that, for nothing more than a few dollars, were removed from their lands, held captive, and treated miserably in the name of the “church” by their keepers. The story itself is fantastical, with all the makings of a Viking Saga and then some. This story includes the murder of a king, a coverup by corrupt government officials, and the daring escape of the few brave soles who went looking for freedom but were lost at sea. Their plight is real and is ongoing as they continue to fight for the return of their lands and control of their destiny. If you ever venture that way, be mindful of the ongoing hardship and respect the land you walk on. I was blessed to have been able to visit Rapa Nui and witness firsthand this treasure and share some time with these proud people.