This is not how I remember. Maybe it is because I am older and my memories from a child are not the same as the events that unfolded on my recent vacation.
The Beach - If you aren't on the beach by 10 am, you have to shuffle through crowds of people to find a spot. Yes, you are close enough to hear about their drunk nights, horrible dinners and how lousy/awesome their hotels are. We were out on the beach all three days. Day one, we watched a woman completely undress her 5 year old (estimated age) on the beach. Brush the sand off her and her private areas, for nearly 4 minutes this girl was nude in the middle of crowds of people. What kind of parent would do this? Give the poor thing a towel! How many perverts were watching, possibly taking pictures. (child pornography is a growing problem in our world). How many little boys were looking and seeing these things that should not be seen at such a young age. Day 2, a little girl also around 5 or 6 just wandering the beach with a watermelon slice in her hand. A woman came up to her - obviously not the mother and consoled her. Walked her to the lifeguard stand and another lifeguard on a 4-wheeler came to pick her up. I guess taking her to the lost childrens area. I am not a mother, but I know I would be running the beach, screaming my childs name the second I did not have them in my radar! We heard no screaming, no frantic people around. We just hope her family found her. Day 3, a cute little girl (maybe 3) playing on the beach in her little mermaid bathing suit. It was around 2pm and the beach was still very crowded. Her family was behind us (about 15 people total). We watched her go towards their spot on the beach, take a sharp turn and started down the beach. A few moments later the father, who was in the water with the son, comes up to the family asking where she was. They all look up and around, very confused. I kindly tell them what direction she headed. They would have never found her if I had not told them which way to go. She was quite a ways down the beach when the father caught up with her. Watch you children! What the hell is wrong with you! There are sick people out there, just because you are in 'good ol' o.c.' doesnt mean its a faily tale land!
Almost every store and restaurant is employeed with Russians and Ukrainians. Working on Visas for the summer. What about the American college students who want a job at the beach? Good luck! A handful of places like the long standing eateries, surf shops and Bull on the Beach, employeed the sun-tanned, surf loving americans. Try ordering fudge at candy kitchen to a someone who speaks limited english. I will admit most of them were very nice and courteous. But a few of the boardwalk store owners were quite rude. Patience is a virtue! I am not a 15 year old trying to steal a shell bracelet. Please don't eagle eye my every move.
Street after street on the boardwalk you are sure to encounter one of the following: guitar players, one man bands, balloon contortionists or a grown man in a Spongebob costume. Two of the nights I saw Darth Vader and Yoda. What halloween store was having a clearance?
Masses of teenagers roam the boardwalk, making out, groping each other. I sure as hell do not remember being 14 and showing such affection to someone I just met on vacation. Where the hell are the parents. Oh, probably at Seacrets making out with their own OC fling.
There were many memorable things from childhood. The rides at the end of the pier. Digging a hole in the sand to bury your family. The trashers fries and taffy and fudge and funnel cake and italian ices! The sand sculpture, which I appreciate the hard work, just not the subject matter. Maybe I have grown old and set in my ways. Like my grandfather who appreciated the old days where you could leave your door unlocked. But places change, generations are not the same as they used to be. I am just grateful I had a good time. I got to enjoy myself. You sometimes just need to block out the things you see that bother you. Ignore the rude people and just keep enjoying each minute you are there. You might not see it again.
1 comment:
I felt the same way. I went about a month or so ago, and actually went to Bethany Beach during the day but OC at night for the Boardwalk. I too saw Yoda and Darth Vader. It was overly crowded with lots of annoying people. Things seem so different than when we were little. But like you said, it was probably the magic of being a kid back then.
I don't understand parents who don't watch their kids close at places like that. I know when I have my niece anywhere (who is 5), I never let her out of my site. I'm sure I would be overly protective at a beach. People these days just don't care.
-Faith
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