"I would be willing to fight for a good place"

PalmaAugust 12 will be a significant day for many residents of Mallorca. Some have been preparing for over a year where and how they will watch the eclipse, have asked for time off work, or have organized gatherings with family and friends. Others still don't know how they will get there, are afraid of finding the roads congested, or have directly decided to watch it from home.

The predicted overcrowding and traffic restrictions have added an element of uncertainty to a day that many have been waiting for months.

These are the voices of some Mallorca residents regarding the eclipse.

"I've been informing myself and reading books for over a year"

Francesc Timoner, 24 years old, PhD in Mathematics

I plan to, and more than plan to, see the eclipse of August 12th. For over a year now I've been informing myself and reading popular science books, I've been looking at web pages, researching the locations, the times, and the science behind the eclipse. I must say I am a Doctor in Mathematics and, out of familiarity, I am passionate about physics, chemistry, and astronomy.

On the other hand, I prefer not to say where I will watch it: touristification and overcrowding are problems that concern me. I prefer not to reveal the exact locations of coves, mountains, small villages, or rural or natural areas. The natural environment and small urbanizations are greatly attacked, I will maintain my privacy in this regard. But I can say that I will watch it from the Levant, in a slightly elevated area that allows the Serra de Tramuntana not to obstruct the phenomenon.

I asked my whole family to take the day off. My father has said no to many jobs and my siblings and I have requested it off. All plans revolve around the eclipse that day. Specifically, my father rejected a job offer (for which he was paid quite well) because I have conveyed this passion to him. I would do exactly the same. I would be willing to travel or give up jobs to see the eclipse.

I am very concerned about the saturation on the island, the lack of resources, touristification, and the danger to which the natural environment is exposed in the face of an event like this: in a very short time, a great many people accumulate in very specific, often natural, places. Furthermore, on this island, we drive a lot, we have road and public service saturations, as well as medical and emergency services (Firefighters and police). I would like there to be no misfortune, I foresee an overcrowding that will hinder rescue efforts. I am also particularly anxious about fires, I hope no one smokes in dangerous areas and that they are aware that we are experiencing a drought.

"I'm looking for a place that's less crowded with tourists"

Roger, 26 years old

I am looking for which place in the Serra will have more visibility and, at the same time, will be less crowded with tourists. Also, I want it to be a comfortable place to take advantage and see the Perseid meteor shower, because that night there will be some too. I don't know the status of the restrictions to access the Serra de Tramuntana, but I am waiting for a response from a friend who lives in Port de Pollença, near the viewpoint. I know that that night I will have to have a lot of patience with people, but I don't want to spend money or rent anything, no matter how spectacular the eclipse is, I think there are ways to enjoy it for free.

"My intention was to climb the mountain"

Laura, 47 years old, accountant

I will certainly see the eclipse, although I don't know if I will manage it. I've been waiting a year for the eclipse and it seems like a unique opportunity, I'm amazed by the government's decision to ban the event for all residents. After the demonstration on the 26th, the discontent among Majorcans due to overcrowding has been exposed and I find the ability to close down when there is political will incredible, while Palma airport is being expanded without restrictions.

My intention was to go up the mountain to enjoy it, but I see that it's impossible to even get close by car. Paradoxically, there are no restrictions at sea, without considering the danger of destroying posidonia meadows.

On the day of the eclipse, a working day, the island will be closed from 3 p.m. onwards. But it's not closed to everyone, only to citizens and residents who work, pay taxes with which they maintain the roads that will be restricted, and, let's not forget, vote. The blonde immigrant doesn't bother: the one who owns a property in Tramuntana and has invited all his friends, who will pay more than 1,000 euros for a hotel that night, or who has been on the island for 20 years and has not bothered to learn a word of Spanish (let alone Catalan).

I am concerned about the leaders who penalize their own voters and the Administration's lack of work capacity. The eclipse has been talked about for at least a year, they have had time to provide alternatives for Majorcans to get closer to this unique event. Instead, they have chosen to restrict circulation to the maximum. Thus, the resident stays at home, quiet and without making noise.

To see the eclipse, I will have to be creative to access our mountains, as I don't have a boat, nor a hotel, nor a house from which to see it.

"We want to go early and get a good spot"

Itxasso, 24 years old

I have planned to go to Playa de Palma with my friends. We want to go early, get a good spot and have a picnic to enjoy the experience together. I would be willing to fight for a good location.

"We have organized a dinner to watch the eclipse"

Maria Àngels, 55 years old

We will go to Santa Ponça, to my parents' house. We have organized a dinner to watch the eclipse with friends. But I still don't know what we will do with all the restrictions.

"I will go to my aunt's house if the restrictions allow me to"

Lluc Amorós, an employee of a photography store, 21 years old

I don't really know what I'll do, it will depend on whether I have to work or not. But I have an aunt who lives in Estellencs and I'll go to her place if the restrictions allow me to. I think I'll be able to get there, because I plan to take the bus. I'm quite excited to see the eclipse, but if I couldn't see it, it wouldn't be so bad.

"I'll try to go where it's best seen"

Marta, 52

I will not be in Mallorca on the day of the eclipse, we booked flights to Tarragona. I don't think it will be as impactful there as in Mallorca, but I will try to go where it can be seen best, I suppose it will be the beach. Anyway, I have a child of one and a half years old, so it means I will only see it if it's an easy plan.

"It's not a day to take the car"

Maria José Orero, owner of a bakery

I think the eclipse won't be very impactful, it will be dark and too close to the horizon. I'll watch it calmly from my home, it's not a day to take the car.

"It doesn't really catch my attention"

Nando, jeweler, 45 years old

I have decided to watch the eclipse on television, I will not have closed the shop until 8 p.m. Besides, it doesn't interest me much, I think it will be cloudy and there won't be as many people as one might think.

"I still don't know how I'll get there"

Laura Seguí, 29

I didn't have any plans to see the eclipse, but it coincided with my cousin's birthday who has rented a house in the Serra to see it. However, I still don't know how I'll get there, but I'll try to change my shift at work that day to be able to attend.