Mike King on a Mysterious Solstice Event at Granada

There was an intriguing event happening out at the end of the Granada boat launch ramp on this beautiful first day of summer evening. I have no idea what it was. But it looked enthralling.  I keep telling our esteemed editor Nancy Wride that I’m not a reporter – I would fail miserably at Reporting 101. The main reason: I don’t like to talk to people. I bring up this character flaw only because of the vastly interesting affair going on at the end of Granada tonight, knowing that a good reporter would glom onto all the pertinent details, and be able to describe it with an alacrity I don’t possess. 

I’m failing further because I haven’t even told you what the “event” was. Sorry Editor! OK, so what I saw was this: 

The Granada boat ramp concrete apron was encircled by a multitude of flags; symbols of every nation, small flags only a foot tall, inches apart, fluttering sweetly, brushed by the brisk breeze coming in from the west. On the sand, a group of people sat and listened as a woman in a blue kimono-like dress recited phrases. The bloated orange sun was sinking. There was some verbal give and take. A man walked up next to me and asked what was going on. I shrugged an answer of incomprehension. A few other people had gathered near me. It was interesting to note that all of us gave a great deal of respectful space to the gathered folk. 

So I watched for a few minutes, thinking that I had happened upon a group’s special Summer Solstice celebration, but actually not knowing anything. If only I was a reporter… 

But you know what, the reason I walked out onto the ramp to begin with, was that I indeed knew it was the first day of summer, our longest day, and just wanted to be out at the beach and watch the sunset. And it was glorious. 

Reader alert! I uploaded a few pictures. If you know anything about this particular ceremony and can provide some insight, please comment.