Rescued Miners Meet Deluge of Offers

The rescued Chilean miners are beginning to leave hospital and go their separate ways amid a deluge of publicity and offers from around the world. The first three of "Los 33" have gone home and doctors expect the rest to leave hospital before Monday, reports the AP, which notes that the men spent their first day of freedom as possibly the most in-demand people in the world. The men have been showered with gifts and agents are eager to sign them up for movie deals, book deals, and media appearances.

A local businessman has given each miner a check for $10,000, more than many of them could expect to earn in a year. Several soccer teams around the world have invited the men to their stadiums, a Greek company has offered them island vacations, and Steve Jobs has given them all iPods. One Elvis-loving miner has been offered a trip to Graceland. The government has promised the men 6 months of counseling, as well as coaching in dealing with the press.
(More Chilean miners stories.)