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Pretty much every place I’ve been in this world seems to have its fair share of characters. I’ve covered a reasonable amount of ground so far – something like 35 countries and 40 states – so I feel I probably have sufficient experience to offer a judgment on this. But I also have learned that some spots seem to be magnets for these interesting, unusual people. I’m not completely sure why this happens, but certain areas just attract them more reliably than other areas. By characters, of course, I’m talking about those folks who add their own distinct color to our world by behaving or dressing just a tad differently than the rest of us. I enjoy bumping into true characters anywhere I go. I love watching them, trying to figure them out a bit. I get a kick out of their uninhibited styles.
And this is one of the many reasons I am drawn so often to the Fort Lauderdale beach. Mixed in among the upscale tourists and locals who lie on the sand or sip cocktails on seaside verandas, there is usually a small, rotating cast of characters who do their own thing quietly alongside the flow of pedestrians and automobiles, enlivening an already lively scene.
I have, for instance, been greeted often by a pleasant older gentleman who sometimes plants himself on the wave wall around Las Olas. Always smiling, he seems to look for a passerby who appears interesting to him somehow, then addresses them in very specific ways: “Hi there! That’s a great new pair of sneakers you’ve got there!” or “Hello! You’re moving along fast, getting a lot of good exercise this morning, aren’t you?” That kind of thing. Always friendly, never asking for anything from anyone. I like that man a lot. Then there’s the lady who walks by herself along the beach backwards, hands in the air, head covered by a towel. I’ve mentioned her in previous blogs but she’s still around and I still can’t help being amused by this very peculiar form of exercise. For a long time, there was a guy renting catamarans who would spin himself silly for some reason – I’ve no idea why. He would just put on headphones, listen to music, and turn endless fast circles with his eyes closed as he waited for customers. These are the sort of unique, delightful beach characters I often find scattered among the so-called “normal” people who make up most of the crowd. Normal people, like you and me, right? Well, yeah, I suppose I qualify, at least in this context. I’m sure you do too. Though I have to admit – sometimes it looks like a lot more fun to be a character.
And this is one of the many reasons I am drawn so often to the Fort Lauderdale beach. Mixed in among the upscale tourists and locals who lie on the sand or sip cocktails on seaside verandas, there is usually a small, rotating cast of characters who do their own thing quietly alongside the flow of pedestrians and automobiles, enlivening an already lively scene.
I have, for instance, been greeted often by a pleasant older gentleman who sometimes plants himself on the wave wall around Las Olas. Always smiling, he seems to look for a passerby who appears interesting to him somehow, then addresses them in very specific ways: “Hi there! That’s a great new pair of sneakers you’ve got there!” or “Hello! You’re moving along fast, getting a lot of good exercise this morning, aren’t you?” That kind of thing. Always friendly, never asking for anything from anyone. I like that man a lot. Then there’s the lady who walks by herself along the beach backwards, hands in the air, head covered by a towel. I’ve mentioned her in previous blogs but she’s still around and I still can’t help being amused by this very peculiar form of exercise. For a long time, there was a guy renting catamarans who would spin himself silly for some reason – I’ve no idea why. He would just put on headphones, listen to music, and turn endless fast circles with his eyes closed as he waited for customers. These are the sort of unique, delightful beach characters I often find scattered among the so-called “normal” people who make up most of the crowd. Normal people, like you and me, right? Well, yeah, I suppose I qualify, at least in this context. I’m sure you do too. Though I have to admit – sometimes it looks like a lot more fun to be a character.
posted by LauderBLOGGER at 8:37 AM
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