Day 12 - The Sunset Culture

There is something mysterious that happens at dusk on the boat. Slowly passengers drift up to the top deck and head for the forward of the ship. No one really says anything, no announcements are made, and no one evens makes any excuses. As we go through so many time zones, there isn’t a set time, and there certainly isn’t any time communicated to us, but everyone seems to feel it in their bones.

As you work your way to the sun deck there is contradiction of cultures. On the one hand, the sun is descending into the most brilliant array of colors, and on the other hand you have the gentle pushing and shoving to get to a place to see this most quixotic of sights. The area crowds to the point of discomfort, yet everyone smiles and radiates with the inner glow of twilight on the horizon.

I have a meeting every evening, so sunsets are somewhat rare for me, but I am always startled by the number of people who seem to just drift to the front of our home. It seems magical, as though we are all under a spell. Even when I do miss the day’s end, I can hear it calling my heart in the meeting, and it is difficult for me to focus. We seem to have all fallen to the same force.