Solar Eclipse 2026: Watching the Crowd, Not the Sky

I am guessing everyone was going a bit crazy, but I missed the overt signs of all this.

This isn’t a post about astronomy. It’s about what happens when everyone’s looking the same way.

I was rather complacent and even though friends reminded me and organised groups to view it I still was a rather detached from the whole thing so…

The Glasses Panic

…when the penny dropped, I could not find the needed eclipse eclipse glasses anywhere. I tried every shop that seemed plausible.

Nothing.

I knew if I was with friends I would still get a glimpse but It still bugged me I was so disconnected from the whole spectacle, not to mention from actual… spectacles.

I mean it is August, it is hot and sweaty, and the days seem to go by in a haze, but still it feels like my brain is in its own state of partial eclipse irrespective of all this.

The Photography Debate

One of my other takes was that photographing the actual solar eclipse 2026 was pointless as within a day there will be a billion better images online.

Another take was that if you are watching the eclipse you are missing the surreal experience of the dramatic darkening (I saw the eclipse in the UK in the late 90s).

This seemed to me a fascinating thing to try and capture.

In the Land of the Blind

Something else I guessed and during the solar eclipse 2026 realised was true is that you would be surrounded by people who are effectively blind.

In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

Also great for pick-pockets and street photographers.

Montjuïc

The friends chose to go up Montjuïc by bus, I wanted some exercise and walked. The climate is debilitating but I felt I needed to fight it. I got to the Fuente de la Cerra and nearby viewing area quite early.

I was already regretting the ice cold beer that was in the fridge; why had I decided to save it for later!

The Reality of the Crowd

Eventually the gang appeared and we staked out a place near Saint George on his horse.

I thought we had chosen a decent spot avoiding the crowds… yeah… it turns out most people were in no hurry and by the time of the event there was a very large crowd, perhaps a little oppressive in the sticky heat but better for photos?

But I pretty much nailed it regarding the images; very surreal wandering amongst the temporarily blind.

Anyone else ever felt like the only person not on the hype train?