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

PalmaAugust 12th will be a special day for many residents of Mallorca. Some have been preparing for more than a year where and how they will see 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 collapsed, 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 facing the eclipse.

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

Francesc Timoner, 24 years old, PhD in Mathematics

I plan, and more than plan, to see the eclipse on August 12th. For more than a year now, I have been informing myself and reading popular science books, looking at websites, searching for locations, schedules, and the science behind the eclipse. I must say that I am a doctor in Mathematics and, due to familiarity, I am passionate about physics, chemistry, and astronomy.

On the other hand, I prefer not to say where I will see 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 developments are heavily impacted, I will maintain my privacy in this regard. But I can say that I will see it from the East, in a slightly elevated area that allows the Tramuntana mountain range not to obscure the phenomenon.

I asked my whole family to take the day off. My father has turned down many jobs, and my siblings and I have requested it off. All plans revolve around the eclipse that day. Specifically, my father turned down a job offer (for which he was paid quite well) because I 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 the natural environment posed by an event like this: in a very short time, many people accumulate in very specific, often natural, places. Furthermore, on this island we use cars a lot, we have road and public service saturation, 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. Fires also particularly distress me, 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 the most 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 also be some. 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

Of course I will 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 Mallorcans due to mass tourism has been exposed, and I find it incredible that they can close things down when there's political will, while the Palma airport is being expanded without restrictions.

My intention was to go up the mountain to enjoy it, but I see 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 PM. 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 is not a bother: the one who owns a farm in Tramuntana and has invited all his friends, who will pay over 1,000 euros for a hotel that night, or who has been on the island for 20 years and hasn't 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. We've been talking about the eclipse for at least a year, they've had time to provide alternatives for Mallorcans to access this unique event. Instead, they have opted to restrict circulation to the maximum. Thus, the resident stays at home, silent 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, a hotel, or 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"

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 will go to her house if the restrictions allow me to. I think I'll be able to get there, because I'm thinking of taking the bus. I'm quite excited to see the eclipse, but if I couldn't see it, it wouldn't be so bad.

"I will try to go where it is best seen"

Marta, 52

I will not be in Mallorca on the day of the eclipse, we took flights to Tarragona. There I think it will not be as impactful as in Mallorca, but I will try to go where it is 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 is 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've decided to watch the eclipse on television, I won't 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 thinks.

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

Laura Seguí, 29

I had no plans to see the eclipse, but it coincided with the birthday of my cousin who 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 work shift for that day so I can attend.