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ThanasisNikolaidis
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When sunshine gleams through the window, when soft winds ruffle clothes and brightly coloured flowers make a beautiful blanket for park grounds, the world is stricken with a peculiar, although not fatal, illness. Otherwise stable individuals note in themselves an irresistible wish to become completely irresponsible, to perform surprising action. They wish to visit distant shores, to enjoy laziness under beautiful skies, to be without the responsibility or the duties of their usual everydays life. Happiness, so intense it can almost be touched, swoops down on everyone.
Vacations are the favourite subject of conversation while waiting for the time to pass until the vacation period. Pay checks are examined in hopes of locating an unsuspected addition that can make that hoped-for trip more possible. Tourist information floods homes and business places, while employees spend hours dreaming of future enjoyments.
Luncheon dates are often avoided, for the beautiful sunshine backons everyone outdoors-to stroll down the thoroughfares or to acquire a flattering tan in the various parks that dot the cities. The necessity of returning to business duties at the end of the luncheon period is forgotten in the enjoyment of the outdoor relaxation.
Besides the short time in acquiring a tan at lunch time, the citizens devote many more hours to this achievement. It takes on major importance, for many thousands of pale but hopeful persons flood the nearest shores of the turbulent ocean. Their weapons are suntan cosmetics, bathing suits, and time spent drowsing on the gentle sandy grounds under the hottest sunshine. There they listen peacefully to radio music, speculate about their neighbours doze occasionally, and sometimes actually make their adventurous path to the ocean itself for a refreshing swim.
At times, some confirmed town citizens are lured to the ocean by friends and by the wish to be as tanned as the majority. Such persons really dislike sunshine and make their arrival carefully shielded by skirts, umbrellas, and perky bonnets.