"Going to visit the filthy rich and famous," the parking lot attendant pronounced after she called for the trolley to pick us up and take us to the ferry to Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard.  

She probably figured we couldn't be filthy rich and famous ourselves, or we would never have arrived in off-site parking to save $10 a day.  And yet...  My husband and I raised our eyebrows at each other.  This was still a strange thing to say, since she was not only   referring to friends of ours in a rather unpleasant way, but sniping at the reason she brings home a paycheck every week, although the us and them thing, the wealthy vacationers versus the locals is hardly new.  

President Obama and his family were already on the island.  Maybe that's what engendered the elevated passion in her statement.    I wasn't sure his presence was a plus.  I had no interest in experiencing barricades or crowds or anything else that would impact our weekend on the island.   Thankfully, we didn't.

What we did experience is island culture, and I was reminded once more why we'll spend the $25 per person to take that ferry, buy that $7.95 slice of fudge which isn't any better than the mainland, pay a premium for Black Dog or Vineyard Vines gear, heck, pay a premium for any and every darn thing we do there, and spend a lot more time getting there to do it.  On Martha's Vineyard, Bermuda,  the Bahamas, Hawaii, and every other island that calls to people all around the world.  

We're captive.  We can't get "home" and do any of the things we might think we need to do even if we wanted to, at least not easily.  We're swaddled by blue green sea water.  Internet service is a recalcitrant.  Cell phone connections are a bit spotty (even on Verizon.)  We are really, truly away in a manner that just doesn't happen for me on the mainland, anywhere.  Doesn't even seem necessary to think about home and responsibilities.  It's just too far away, and somehow not so important after all.  And while I couldn't ever imagine myself living on an island, treating myself to an island getaway now and then?  Pure bliss...