the middle of the world

A couple hours ago we passed a rather normal-looking patch of ocean,
where the Prime Meridian intersects with the Equator. There were rumors
about what we would see in this spot, and indeed there was an unassuming
red and white buoy, and the ship circled around it like a child
celebrating a victory, and the horn echoed (and we all clapped our hands
to our ears- that thing is LOUD).

I thought the buoy was a testament to the nature of human exploration,
that we feel the need to mark this ambiguous place that only exists in
human knowledge. In the middle of all this blue, here human achievement
is saying, "Look at this! We exist. We are here, even the middle of
nowhere."

I didn't have my camera, so you'll have to take my word for it.