Man. Sunburns really suck. Having only limited experience with this condition, I am marvelling at people who have to deal with it a lot. Me, this is only my third time in recent memory. I mean, I had to go to the beach. But I spent all that time in the shade. Even if I hadn't gone to the beach, I'd have walked around outside. That's the thing. No matter what, you have to be outside. And I'm sorry, but in 90 degree heat I'm going to wear clothes that expose some skin. Sunscreen didn't really help all that much.
Anyway. So now I'm kinda red and itchy. I guess it's not really so much of a burn as a rash. Either way, it sucks.
But aside from the sunburn, today was a rather pleasant day. I didn't really do anything for a couple of hours until I took a bus to Plaka. I was disappointed to find that the sea was rather rough, so I didn't go swimming at first. The thing is, I was positively *starving* and losing my patience for the Greek habit of waiting until at least 2 PM to eat lunch. I didn't have breakfast, and I'd been up for a few hours, so I said screw it and went to eat someplace. It was 1:30. They weren't serving until 2. So I went and found another place. The problem there was that for whatever reason, it took them FOREVER to give me my food. I seriously waited for like 45 minutes, at least. But I was so hungry, and Plaka is kind of remote, so I just waited and waited. And I'm still kinda pissed. Grr.
So then I went on the road and started walking, looking over at the beach for a good place to swim. Then I thought to myself, "You idiot, why don't you actually go walk *on* the beach?" So I did, and it was nice. I walked quite a long way before I settled on a spot. During that time I went into the nudist part, but at first all I saw was this old hippie dude coming out of the water, stark naked, and I was walking right into his path. I mean, it's one thing to see naked people - I've seen plenty at beaches and Beer Mile - but it's quite another to have to be within inches of a naked person. Especially when it's a man. So I just sllloooowwweeeddd my walk down a bit. I do have to say a couple of things about nude beaches though: I can't believe how *tanned* they all are......everywhere. And also, going to a nude beach is a great way to boost your body image confidence, because there are people of all shapes and sizes there.
So anyway, I decided to get an umbrella because I haven't gotten one the entire time I've been here, and my skin needed the shade. After a few minutes I took off my top and stayed that way for the rest of the time. I felt fine, but it was kinda weird when the guy came to ask for payment...it's like, ok, I'm talking to a complete stranger who can see my boobs. But he sees that all the time. He let me get away with paying only 3 euros (a lot of places, you have to pay like 7), because I was by myself and it was late in the day. So I thanked him for the low price, and he said "You know it is five for the whole day." So I don't know if he was lowering the price because of the time of day or because I was topless. Whatever.
One thing that's interesting is I feel totally comfortable being topless on a beach and there are certainly guys who see me and stuff. But I still get a weird feeling when I'm walking in town, clothed (durh), and guys are looking at me. And thus, I have perfected the walk of a mysterious, aloof, Mediterranean woman, and it only took me like, two days. The point is not to acknowledge or notice people looking at you, guys or girls.
I know it sounds stupid, but anyone who has heard my rant on how I want to be more like an aloof Mediterranean woman (and not a shy or obnoxious American) will know that this is a small victory for me.
Anyway, the beach was nice, even though the seas weren't great for swimming. But the waves were so much fun! I have this game I play, where I float on the surface of the water with my head towards shore, and I point my feet towards the oncoming waves. I try to stay flat for as long as possible when a wave comes. I don't know why but that game makes me so happy. And I ended up giggling like a little girl way more than I should have, and I felt a little embarrassed by it, but it was just so much fun! Later on, I met a woman who looked almost exactly like Jodie Foster and who was from America. She was there with her family, and her husband is Greek. We talked for quite a long time, all while in the waves, and it was good to have an intellectual conversation.
So that was my last day in Naxos. I spent about 5 hours on the beach. Man, life is good. Though I still need to buy a watch, and I have tar on my feet (the first time I've ever run across this problem on a Greek beach!) and I'm hungry. But still. Like I said. Life is good.
Tomorrow, I'm going back to Athens and spending the night again. Then the next day I am going to Corfu. I'm really excited. I can't wait to see how beautiful it is.
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