Stubbed Toes, Bruised Egos

Topping off the list of natural wonders on Ikaria is the diversity of beautiful and exotic beaches. Some are tucked out-of-the-way secluded beaches others are umbrella laced sandy beaches stretching for several kilometers. The north side of the island has the fine white to gray sandy beaches, that one can find in semi-tropical places like Florida. The south side however, is rutted with numerous beaches made up with everything from giant boulders to small pebbles. They are round and smooth, made of quartz, basalt or marble. Negotiating such a beach setting becomes quite a Herculean effort for those used to granular type beaches of let’s say California or the Great Lakes. One fascinating activity for me to watch is the first time beachgoer getting around the slippery rocky beaches.

What follows is a typical entry and exit into and out of the Aegean waters. Leaving the cool shade of the sea pines, the first obstacle one faces is how to overcome the scorching heat radiating from the stones that have been baked all day by the Greek sun. Some sort of footwear is definitely required as to not burn one’s feet. As one carefully walks to the water’s edge, the footwear is removed, and immediately one is confronted with the wet, slippery rocks. Now, extreme balance is required to enter the water without falling on one’s face, or turning an ankle in a desperate maneuver of water access. There are only two options for this tricky entry. Very popular with the young is the macho dive, in which one takes running leaps to the edge of the water. They run so fast that their feet never seem to touch the hot rocks. When the water looks barely deep enough to be safe, they dive head first into the chilly Aegean. Using this technique one avoids having to traverse the rocky bottom.

Then there is the exact opposite, the calculated creep, usually employed by the older crowd. Here one cautiously and methodically approaches the water, gingerly enters while trying to maintain balance on the treacherous rocks. When comfortable enough, one submerges their torso into the refreshing water, trying desperately to dodge splashing children and knock-you down waves.

After enjoying a cool swim in the Aegean, the arduous task of exiting commences. One’s first attempt might be to waddle out of the water like a duck, pushing up the rocky incline. With arms flailing wildly, one quickly realizes walking on just heels makes one slip back in the water, with no traction, and  guarantees the of stubbing of a toe or two. Another type of exiting is the salamander walk. Basically this requires one to bend over and crawl out of the water on all fours. This makes one look like an early amphibian crawling out of the primeval ooze. This technique, ungraceful as it is, will work if there are no waves, or else one will be repeatedly pelted in the face by the constant watery action. Sometimes walking backwards out of the water works, but then not being able to see behind oneself is a hazard. Slipping on a slick, algae covered rock and ending up on one’s derriere is a high probability.

The best way of exiting, to me, seems that one should stand erect, slightly bent at the waist, using only the toes and balls of the feet, with arms spread out for balance. Take small steady steps towards dry land, while looking down in front to navigate around any obstacles. Once on shore, one’s immediate instinct is to dart quickly back to the shade of the sea pines. Moving expeditiously over the searing rocks you arrive at your sheltered destination only to look around, realizing disappointedly that your sandals are at the edge of the water, twenty-five scorching meters away.