Attack of the Floridiots

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Floridians, as a rule, are very fluent in the language of sunshine. It just so happens that the Fourth of July presented a perfect opportunity to embrace our Floridiot-isms, kick back, and enjoy the spoils of Sounion.

The Temple of Poseidon rests on a rocky cliff overlooking the Cape of Sounion. While the temple itself stood magnificently on perfectly crafted columns, nothing could quite compare to the vast expanse of ocean laid before our feet. One of the rocks jutting out from the side of the cliff quickly became our designated cat-walk...seriously, there are probably at least fifty pictures of us in various poses standing on that fricken rock...

Whatever the light touches will be yours, Simba...

If I had to pick two favorite things on this trip, they would probably be the views and the FOOD. I still don't really know how we've managed to eat so much without gaining twenty pounds. 

"Fat Girl Victories:

1) Not having to cross your legs because your thunder thighs are capable of covering everything."

~Brianna Sigman

We ate at a very fancy-shmancy restaurant overlooking the sea. Apparently, the food was included in the excursion, so of course we went to town. Like typical Americans, our dishes of choice generally revolved around fried things, cheese, and meat. They were so cute, bringing us a Greek salad. How adorable.

The only thing better than peacefully watching the waves go by is swimming in them. After downing a ridiculous amount of food, we ventured to the water for some good-old beach time. I don't think any of us were prepared for a full out beach resort, complete with umbrellas, cabana boys, and blaring '80s music. 

Going to the beach here is incredibly different from beaching it up in the States. Every beach we've been to has been equipped with standardized beach chairs and umbrellas that cover every inch of free space. Imagine the beaches back home: you probably think of white sand and varying beach camp set-ups, right? Well, over here, the resorts provide all beach equipment necessary as a way to charge for beach use. Our equivalent in America would be the daily charge for driving your car on the beach, or the day-pass for public access. They don't have that kind of system for resorts, so the hotels find some way to charge extra for convenient beach tools. 

The view from my lounge chair.

Still, the water was absolutely beautiful, and we were able to enjoy a lovely afternoon celebrating the Fourth of July on the beach. It's so strange, swimming in fifty-feet-deep water while still being able to see the bottom. I felt completely save venturing out into the lagoon, whereas going chest-deep in our murky water at home always entertains the risk of sharks. There's nothing quite like swimming in a crystal clear sea without a care in the world.

We wrapped up the celebrations with a birthday party for Ellie and Jimmy over at the Kaplans. Can't beat a great dance party complete with cupcakes, sparklers, Transformers party favors, indestructible balloons, and an adorable five-year-old. (Seriously...we tried sticking the balloon between the elevator doors, and it still didn't pop.) Now that the festivities are over, this is Maddie, signing off!