Sand Between My Toes

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of sand between your toes.  I had the opportunity to experience such a delight not just two weeks ago in Jamaica.  I spent every waking moment possible, barefoot, as I knew my return to Canada would reinstate the wearing of socks and boots.

Sand, I come to find out, has wonderful exfoliating properties.  My dry cracked heels of winter were soothed by salty sea water and white sand.  By the end of my vacation my feet were looking and feeling incredible.  But then, like all good vacationers do, I forgot to apply sunscreen to the tops of my sun kissed feet and decided to spend the afternoon playing beach volleyball.  By 5:00 p.m. I thought that my feet were on fire.  Not only were they burning, the flesh itself looked like it had been painted red.  Applications of aloe, coconut butter and ice soothed the pain and deferred peeling, but I still had to return home wearing flip flops in minus twelve degree weather.  Lesson learned—apply sunscreen—everywhere!

I dare not complain about my crimson feet misfortune because apparently, things could have been a lot worse.  Upon my return, I struck up a conversation with a young lady who had vacationed in Cuba.  The sun is just as hot there as it is in Jamaica, the sand just as white, and the beverages just as yummy, but this young lady was a victim of sand fleas.  Her feet and legs were covered with chicken pox like sores from microscopic fleas that feast on the flesh of tasty Canadians!  Yikes!  My burns would eventually go away, but her scars would remain—a free souvenir from the tropics!  Lesson number 2 learned—apply sunscreen and bug spray—everywhere!