My first Beach Week
Loose Ends
Susan Nienow

I don't know whether I was deprived or not, but I have never been to Beach Week. This is my first. And I am not going as a chaperone. It is a family wedding - at a beach. So we are going to stay for a few days.

Most occasions in my life are viewed as shopping opportunities - but not this one, because a bathing suit is first on my list. And last. It is not an opportunity but a challenge - or even an ordeal. The mirrors in changing rooms are unforgiving and so are bathing suits. And what is a point of a cover-up if it is made of mesh?

So many decisions - to skirt or not to skirt, what about water shoes and will I need my own beach towel? I used to pay a few dollars for a new pair of flip-flops every year. Now it is work just deciding what to put on my feet.

I can't ask kids what to take to Beach Week. I doubt if I will be doing the same things.

Flip flops are now thongs - fashion statements with double digit pricing. It also means that they are not multi-outfit - one pair does not go with everything. And what about the after swim shoes? They come in 16 colors. Do I need to coordinate my suit, thongs, water shoes, after swim shoes, hat and cover-up? The tote bag, too?

I'm not sure when I crossed the line where the sunscreen numbers are more important than my age. I bought the "no oil, moisturizing, waterproof sunblock with 45 SPF and UVA/UVB protection." Just yesterday I read that 45 SPF is minimum protection. Now what do I do?

Today I shopped for sandals to go with my "wedding on the beach, maybe, but nobody is sure" skirt and top. I was successful - I bought two pairs of sandals but neither goes with the wedding getup. Have to try again tomorrow. If the wedding is inside, can I still wear sandals?

Unfortunately, we have to catch a plane to get to this beach - very early in the morning. Counting the drive and the extra time we have to get to the airport so we can show off our shampoo and toothpaste to everyone, we will be getting up at 3 a.m. There is almost nothing I like about that hour.

The hotel information said motorized water sports are not included in the room cost. That leaves kickboards and Marco Polo. I have been reading about the activities I can do if I pay more money, but there is no way to make bungee jumping or shark watching sound appealing. Same with the water-ski jumps and any kind of fishing.

No one has solved the problem of coming home from the beach. No matter how much I do before we leave, there is twice as much when I get back. How can things pile up when I am not even here? Life is not a beach.