Even with our current knowledge of exactly what is going on, the awe was palpable. The sudden nightfall, the corona, planets and stars appearing, the diamond ring and Bailey's beads... all of it was there! I see now why people spend every opportunity chasing eclipses around the world. I don't know if I will ever see another, I hope too, but I'm getting kind of old now, but I will definitely cling to the hope of seeing just one more.
If you ever get even the remote chance to see a total eclipse, don't settle for less. Even 96% is not close to the experience of the real thing. In the immortal words of my favorite sci-fi captain... "Make it so!"