Suzanne Harrington: Eclipse at sea provided a lesson in perspective
A personal essay reflects on the social dynamics observed on a ferry during a solar eclipse. The author notes how the celestial event temporarily broke down social barriers among passengers.
Why it matters
The piece explores the intersection of human behavior and rare natural phenomena, highlighting the role of shared experiences in community building.
Underprepared, without as much as a colander or a cornflake box in my bag, I offer a passing child some crisps in exchange for a moment with his eclipse glasses. File picture: Romain Doucelin / Hans Lucas.
The morning after the eclipse, my eyes are still a bit funny, having attempted to watch it through the micro-gaps of a straw hat instead of using proper eclipse glasses.
Other than a lone pre-departure text from the ferry company I’m about to travel with, advising passengers not to stare at the sun, the whole build-up passed me by, thanks to the rubbish wifi in far-flung corners of France.
(Note to self: for the next total eclipse on September 23, 2090, squinting through a straw hat does not work. However, this may not be an issue as I will be dead by then).
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