By Noemi Gamel

I have wanted to visit Easter Island for many years, and I admit that it is because of my fascination with anthropology. The significance of the statues known as moai was a complete mystery which intrigued me.

Traveling to this volcanic island, one of the most remote places on earth, has emphasized to me that traveling makes places that are exotic, familiar. After visiting the museum and the Rapa Nui National Park, I understand the significance of the moai as tributes to the family heads of the Rapa Nui people. I understand the strength, time, and effort it took to carve the maoi from the rock quarry in the hills and bring them down to the beach to stand watch over the land. I understand the importance of these statues to the local Chileans as they continue to bring hundreds of visitors each day to support the local economy.

We hiked within the quarry in Rano Raraku Volcano and basked in the sun in the beach of Anakena. We witnessed the stunning views from Orongo, from which the Rapa Nui men would compete in the Bird-Man Ritual. In this competition, the men would climb down the treacherous cliffs, swim 1,400 meters to the neighboring island of Moto Nui, where one man would bring back the first egg of the sooty tern. Sometimes, they would have to wait for weeks before they found an egg. The victor would be declared king for one year.

I am leaving Easter Island much less ignorant about this land of mystery than I was before visiting it. Though some of the sense of mystery may be gone after learning more about the place, my appreciation for it has not dissipated.  In fact, it has increased. Easter Island is beautiful. I learned a lot about it and I am grateful to be able to visit this “bucket list” destination.