Mid-January sporting low 80’s temps spilling forth by way of a gentle sea breeze. The warm air is clear and clean. A number of happy folks are saying their goodbyes to our mutual friend Harvey who heads back to Orcas Island Tuesday. A long table with a cast of well-wishers chatting away – then the moment of silence that is Puerto at sunset.
Sundown – Puerto Escondido
If you are hangin’ in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico you might be asked, “Hey, did you see the green flash last night?”
This is not a comic book superhero. This is a super-moment at sunset when the sun is engulfed by the sea. Right at the very second of total ‘submersion’ an emerald flash of brilliant green light appears for an instant. It is remarkable. The color is indescribably beautiful and mystic – you simply have to see it.
A green flash is more likely to be seen in clear air, when more of the light from the setting sun reaches the observer without being scattered – Wikipedia
It is considered buena suerte (good luck) to see the green flash.
As luck would have it, last night the aforementioned group of folks dining at sunset at the Restaurant Mana were treated to a green flash moment.
The entire dining area became silent as the sun began its quick decent into the ocean just beyond the sand – we were sea side. Sitting just to my right with a hand firmly wrapped around a Pacifico, the author Bill Missett said in low tones, “We might get a green flash – it is very clear.” We waited and watched.
We were treated to the Green Flash.
Applause immediately followed. A group of people had shared a rare moment when the day’s events and the world’s problems were paled for just a moment by the head of the solar system – a real treat!
How rare is a green flash? Well for example it was Anita’s first. We are sun-setters when here in Puerto. Each day we stop whatever we are doing to take a few minutes to watch the sun go down into the sea. We have seen a lot of sunsets over the last 5 years here in Puerto. And yet – Anita’s first Green Flash – rare is the key word.
Leave your troubles and those of the world’s behind. Come and share the opportunity of a rare moment in Puerto Escondido (actually not too rare we think). You will not be disappointed. Stay Tuned!