Munich 2026: A Preview of Egypt 2027
A Sunny Day in Munich
Preparations for the once-in-a-century solar eclipse in Egypt in 2027 are currently in full swing for us, so it was all the more interesting for me to experience the current event live. Even though it was only a partial solar eclipse, it was quite an experience.
Munich had actually been enjoying a stable high-pressure system for several days. Every day, the sun had been shining from a brilliant blue sky, so yesterday all those planning to observe the eclipse could look forward to an unobstructed view.
We travelled by public transport, and it quickly became obvious that many other people had had exactly the same idea. The trains and stations became increasingly crowded from one stop to the next, and by the time we arrived at the Olympic Park, we simply surrendered to the steady stream of people making their way towards the Olympiaberg, which is considered one of the best viewing points.
Quite literally with children, bags and everything else in tow, young and old were making their way towards the sun. We had arranged to meet some friends somewhere “on the hill next to the ambulance”. Well, at least that was a clear enough landmark. And, as it turned out, the crowd did indeed push us in the direction of the ambulance and then straight into the arms of our friend.
A Crowd Waiting for the Same Moment
There was even a small, free patch of grass left for us. Personal space – or perhaps rather any fear of being close to other people – is not something you can afford at events like this. At the same time, a very special energy begins to spread through the crowd. People as far as the eye can see, all waiting, talking and laughing, all anticipating the same moment. There is something very communal about it.
One thing was absolutely essential: the special eclipse glasses. Our friend had taken care of those as well. They actually look more like carnival toys than serious pieces of equipment, but the warnings are very clear: you must never look directly at the sun without proper protection. At first, you may not notice anything, but looking at the sun can cause burns to the retina and serious damage to your eyes.
When you put the glasses on and look anywhere other than the sun, you see nothing but black. It feels almost strange, and then you turn your head towards the sun and suddenly there it is, clearly visible through the dark filter.
Our friend had brought her dog along as well. Trying to put eclipse glasses on the dog obviously did not really work, so we could only hope that his natural instincts would keep him from looking directly at the sun.
When the Light Begins to Change
Since this particular solar eclipse was taking place in the evening, we were already prepared for the light to fade naturally. There was certainly no sense of an awe-inspiring silence descending over the crowd, and I have no idea whether the birds suddenly became quiet, because the atmosphere was simply far too lively for that. People were talking, laughing and enjoying themselves.
And yet, the light did change. Independently of the “normal” approach of dusk, it slowly became darker. It felt different, although I could not have said exactly why. Looking at the sun through my glasses, I could now clearly see the shadow moving across it, covering more and more of the solar disc in darkness.
Eventually, only a small crescent remained, hanging upside down in the sky, almost suspended in nowhere. “That’s it,” someone murmured from somewhere around us.
Of course, this was not a total solar eclipse. For that, we would have had to travel to Spain. The whole process took around 40 minutes, with the maximum phase of the eclipse lasting approximately two minutes.
Six Minutes Suddenly Feel Very Long
Now I can put into much better perspective what it means that next year’s total solar eclipse will last for more than six minutes.
That is really, really long.
Experiencing just those two minutes in Munich made me realise that six minutes of totality is not simply “a little longer”. It is an entirely different experience, and I think you only really understand that once you have stood there yourself and watched the sun disappear.
While I was still taking one last look upwards, I found myself wondering what an extraterrestrial might think if it were looking at us from the opposite direction. It would see vast areas covered with people, all gathered together and all looking in exactly the same direction.
But actually, that is something rather wonderful.
Looking at the Eclipse from the Ground
Fortunately, things also remained calm around the ambulance. I am sure the paramedics had their share of work on such a hot day, but hopefully nothing too serious.
I also realised that you should be reasonably fit to attend an event like this. I was very glad that I had put a few biscuits and a small bottle of water in my bag, because after the eclipse we still had to make our way back down with the crowds, which meant more walking and a lot of pushing through people.
And after the event is before the next event.
The Olympic Park was hosting its summer festival, and there was still a huge fireworks display planned for 10 pm. Of course, we did not want to miss that either.
Once again, my thoughts turned to next year, because our programmes will not simply end when the solar eclipse is over. The tours continue afterwards, and the heat in Egypt will be considerably more intense than what we experienced here in Munich.
What This Means for Egypt 2027
I remember that we are repeatedly asked whether medical assistance will be available during our eclipse tours. There will certainly be support staff in the vicinity, but in any case, the physical demands of such an experience should not be underestimated. Before travelling, guests should make sure that they are fit enough for the conditions and, if necessary, have themselves checked by a doctor beforehand.
After the eclipse, we wandered through the festival stalls – or rather, we pushed our way through them, because by now it was crowded, noisy and colourful all over again.
Eventually, we found another little patch of grass beside the lake and settled down to wait for the fireworks. And they certainly did not disappoint, sending bright bursts of colour and light into the sky in all kinds of shapes and patterns. A fitting end to a very special day.
What a combination: first, the light disappears naturally as the moon moves across the sun, and then, later in the same evening, it returns in an exaggerated, entirely human-made form above our heads.
And Now We Wait for 2027
At some point, we finally managed to make our way home. The special eclipse glasses are safely tucked away in my bag, already waiting for 2027.
I am glad that I had the opportunity to experience this little preview. It gives me a much better feeling for what our guests will experience next year – and for what we need to keep in mind when planning the tours.
And I am keeping my fingers crossed for everyone who still hopes to secure a place with us. Requests are currently increasing rapidly, and we are doing our best to create individual viewing locations and experiences despite the enormous movement of people that will inevitably surround an event of this scale.
We are all very curious to see what 2027 will bring.
