Last Day of Paradise

Today was my last day in Seaside, Florida. I am currently sitting in the smallest and most boring airport I have ever visited. Most airports are boring. But, this airport breathes monotony. Some airports will at least have some interesting art or several televisions with different programs. However, the airport at Fort Walton Beach has dull gray brick walls inside, and one silent television showing Sunday afternoon infomercials.

Although the airport is bland, Seaside Florida is one of the most beautiful, peaceful, and enjoyable places on earth. The city radiates perfection. Each house has a name and theme. I stayed in a blue, five-bed-room house called Mr. Coolbreeze. Everyone in the small town rides bikes around rather than driving, as though we are stuck in the most adorable town during the 1950's.

In the middle of Seaside is a semicircle. On the edge there are all kinds of stores and shops. One store is called Modica Market. The market was originally owned by a couple who lived in seaside. It's very small. However, some of the greatest baked goods, homemade chocolates, and exotic foods can be found in the recesses of this homey market. In the center of the semicircle is a grass field with an amphitheater at the front. Every night there is either a local band playing, or a movie displayed on a huge pull-down projection screen, or a children's play, or any number of entertaining events that are great for every age. At the very front (the flat side) of the semicircle are food trucks. These food truck are permanent establishments made from airstream trailers, and hold some of the best food I have ever had. The first food truck is called Raw and Juicy. This truck has all kinds of health food including exotic salads and delicious smoothies. The next is called Wild Bill's Beach Dogs. They have really good six-inch hot dogs and a wide selection of toppings. Next is my second favorite truck. It's called The Melt Down on 30a. The melt down is a grilled cheese truck with every grilled cheese you could ever imagine. The cheese melts in your mouth, and the Texas toast gives an extraordinary crunch. Next in line is Barefoot Bar-B-Q. This truck has everything BBQ from a cup of melt-in-your-mouth brisket to a whole half chicken to delicious BBQ sandwiches. Next in line is my favorite truck, Frost Bites. Tis truck sells Shaved Ice. Not snow cones. Shaved Ice. Snow cones are crushed ice with syrup. Shaved ice is shaved to the point that it turns into a fluffy snow-like powder. I was told that I must try a Piggly-Wiggly. So I ordered a cherry one. What was handed to me was a big surprise. They gave me four inch tall, Styrofoam cup with red, cherry flavored ice that reached for another three inches. On top, they had squirted a large amount of sweetened condensed milk and topped the whole thing off with a gummy pig and a spoon. I discovered that the bottom was packed with thick, creamy, vanilla custard. This sounds frightening, but contrary to popular belief, it was amazing!!!! It was possibly the most delicious thing I had ever eaten.

Seaside had lots to offer. Around every corner was an adventure….or a pool. But either way it was exciting or relaxing or beautiful, or all of those things at once.i found a deck that had been built to look out over a river. It was the coolest thing. The trees were twenty feet tall, and they hid this little nook that (at the time) only I knew.

Seaside was the most FUN!! I cannot wait to go back!!!!!

I'll keep you posted on my adventures!!!

-Gigi

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