I had just finished studying Math in school. It was 3:00pm and my dad was waiting for me outside for us to go home. I pack my stuff, and walk outside, suddenly, my dad called and said that we had to go to “La Pampilla” because there was a small riot going on. My dad, a huge surfing fanatic and ocean lover, was obviously worried.
When my dad and I arrived to the beach, we realized that there were at least 30 policemen around those rocks and about three tv channels that had been called by my own father. It was clearly a mess. The guy from the picture, who is being carried by the police, is a friend of mine called Libio. Policemen were trying to take him aware to prison, for no reason whatsoever, but, he was able to escape because we would go into the ocean. Due to this unfair act of the municipality and the policemen, my dad, I and two other surfers including Libio were invited that same moment to a news show on channel 4, and later channel 9.
From studying math, to defending the beaches in Lima. Wednesday was crazy, but the passion that was put into every moment of that day was simply remarkable. I was impressed on how something so simple to some people, are so valuable to others. From leaving school at 3pm, and arriving home at 11pm that same day, I was amazed. In a weird sense, I was so jealous of the fact that they had something so strong and so well carved into their hearts as valuable, and I did not. Don’t take this the wrong way, I would fight very much for what is valuable for me, but getting near arrested, and talking about this on the top ranked new shows in Peru, you must have a big space in our heart for it in order to go through so much trouble. Moreover, I must add that my affection to the ocean and its waves grew a lot more that day. I transformed from a regular ocean lover, to a defender. Even so, I went back with my dad on Thursday to check on the beach, and on Saturday because there was a small reunion at the beach for those who cared more about it. |