The plane crash survivor portrayed by Ethan Hawke in the 1993 blockbuster Alive is coming to Tahoe Monday to share his story of survival. This will be a rare appearance by Nando Parrado, who lives in Uruguay.
In October of 1972, Uruguayan flight 571, carrying 45 people, crashed in the Chilean Andes. Parrado was on that flight with his 1972 Montevideo rugby team. To avoid starvation, survivors resorted to cannibalism. After 61 days of battling thirst, starvation, and frigid temperatures, Parrado and his teammate, Robert Canessa, famously embarked on a 10-day journey through the Andes, seeking help for the other 14 survivors.
Losing both his mother and sister in the crash, Parrado returned home to Montevideo only to face another set of obstacles and challenges unforeseen during his days missing in the Andes. Parrado’s story is captured in his bestselling book Miracle in the Andes, and may be most notably recognized for his role in Alive, which chronicled the crash.
Moonshine Ink touched base with Parrado via email before his rare, public speaking event at Sand Harbor on Mon., Aug. 10.
In a 2006 Outside online Q&A you say, “My real Andes starts afterwards,” alluding to the journey to reclaim your life after returning home to Montevideo. Was there a specific turning point for you in the months or years that followed your homecoming that set you on the path you are on today?
Yes, I remember my father telling me not to be defined by the accident. He said I was given a chance to have a life and now I need to go and build the best life possible.
The Lake Tahoe community is filled with unique, adventure enthusiasts from all walks of life — often going against the grain to explore the road less traveled. What would you like your Tahoe audience on Aug. 10 to take away from your presentation?
I am really not lecturing or teaching anything. I am simply sharing a story, and everyone will take away something different. Many will attend thinking it is an adventure story. While it is considered by many to be the greatest adventure story ever, it is really a love story. Love of family and friends.
Approaching 43 years since the crash, have you continued relationships with the other survivors?
Absolutely; we are all very close. Recently, one of the survivors died. His name was Javiar Methol. Fourteen of the remaining 15 survivors live in Montevideo. We see each other frequently. Every year on Dec. 22 — the anniversary of our rescue — we have a party to celebrate our new birthday.
The accident happened in 1972, yet it wasn’t until 1992 that you started doing speaking engagements. What was the motivational force that inspired you to start?
The first time I spoke was for a Young Presidents Organization conference in Mexico City. I was a member of that organization and I thought it was a one-time situation. In 1994, Gail Davis reached out to me to speak at an Electronic Data Systems corporate event. After much convincing, I agreed to do it. I had a wonderful experience. Gail and I became friends, and the rest is history.
Storytelling can affect powerful change. Do you have an account of how your story of survival has impacted someone else?
One of the best parts of sharing the story is getting to meet the people. They often share very profound and personal stories. Through that, I have come to know and believe that we all have our own Andes.
