A Funny Thing Happened on the Way Home from the Beach...

(note: for the purposes of this post, Lo's comments will be in parentheses throughout)

So, today was another lovely day on Naxos.

We woke up, headed into "town" for our morning spanakopita from the best bakery on the island. (and followed it with a chocolate-filled doughnut, still warm!)

Then, we embarked on our newly-hatched plan to rent motorbikes to get around the island for the next few days. I must admit, I was nervous. My two worst fears: having the guy at the rental place tell me I had no idea what I was doing and I couldn't rent after all, and secondly, somehow dumping the bike and skidding across the pavement. (I was just thinking, "I have to exude the fact that I know what I'm doing, even though I don't really remember how to do this).

We filled out all the paperwork, were pleased as punch with the price - 18 euro for three days - and Lo got on her bike and put putted away down the street. I got on. I promptly moved my hand the wrong way to give it gas, and the guy sighed and said, "You don't know what you're doing at all. Please, please, if you're not comfortable, come back and rent a 4 wheeler". I assured him I would be just fine, and quickly headed away. (Meanwhile, I've turned right at the police station and am waiting, wondering if already something really bad has happened).

I found Lo at the Po-Po corner as we were instructed to go to head out toward the beaches, and we were soon on the open road. Ah, so nice. Wind in our faces, passing poor folks who were walking all the way there, and at the end of the ride, this:

Aggia Anna beach

(SpyCam also accompanied us on the journey, and literally caught someone with their pants down!)
(Now honestly...why is this person concerned about tan lines there? Give me a break.)

So there we were, two happy girls on the beach, reading our books, dipping occasionally into the surprisingly frigid sea....
...and then we decided to pack up and head to explore a castle that was listed on our map, what with our new transportation and all. Now, our map from the rental place had THICK red lines and THIN red lines. I assumed that this meant real big roads and just regular ones. However, it became clear that thin red line = dirt road. I headed out ahead with the map, undaunted, with Lo in my rear view mirror. The road was fine...just dusty. (Real dusty behind someone else, and she was haulin') Then the road became very potholed. Then it got better. Then we passed a few more beautiful beaches. But I was thinking about that castle. Then the road got really really sandy. I tried to find a good spot....I slipped to the left, then I slipped to the right...then I got that feeling you get when you know you can no longer avoid disaster. I fell, the bike skidded, I skidded along with it...and then all was quiet. (It was real scary to watch).

But then I popped up, aware that my right side had several very stinging parts, Lo asked if I was OK, I said don't get too close, I don't want to bleed on you. (I asked if she wanted water to clean up. She said "Let's just go back home". I said OK. She popped back on and led the way.)

I was determined not to cry. I didn't either, until I got into the shower at our room, the stinging water hit the stinging parts....and then later when Lo helpfully put hydrogen peroxide on them, since that's all we had. Well anyway, here's the picture:
And now it's much later, and I do feel better, though achy and a bit like I was in a car crash. Which Lo reminded me I sort of was. But it could have been much worse. (Of course it could have been better too). But Lo brought me some guaze, and ointment, and ice cream, which helped lots. So did this:
So all is (mostly) well. We even used the bikes again later that day, and in the proper style, with helmets on our heads, not like the Greeks with helmets slung casually on their elbows. Tomorrow, no more dirt roads, mom, I promise.