- Arriving in truck, motorcycle or horse they have a horse race, many wrestling matches, and some halftime folk music. Local goods of all types are for sale. Our guides suggest that they have picked an eclipse viewing site 10 km away, but after yesterday nobody is ready to get back in a van. We all like our camp just fine as the eclipse viewing site. Overheard at breakfast: "Today I am worrying about the weather - yesterday I was worrying about my life." There are several eclipse aficionados (don't say junkie) in our group - the most by one person seems to be eleven events. Those with more experience coach the rest of us as to what to look for.
About 4:00 there is a migration of people up the hill behind camp for a good viewing site.
Most of us decide to hang together to view the event,
but some find their own personal site for the experience. 5:00 is "first
contact" And through filters, the sun is seen to be slowly covered. 
Leading up to totality, the world changes slowly. There is a
clear sky but the light dims. Shadows on the ground become strangely
crisp, as the sun becomes a point source. The horizon reddens. On the
ground around us strange ripple shadows dance - called shadow bands,
have no accepted scientific explanation.Totality literally swoops in, as
the shadow rapidly covers the valley. There is a moment when the sun
blinks off and there is a hole in the sky where it used to be. Primal
awe hits us all -
Two minutes of totality and it is safe to look without special filters. It becomes quite as the wind dies down. Mutterings of appreciation come from everyone. As I write this, I try to put words to my emotions but fail.
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