I got sand in my camera, and now it won't work?

I went to the beach and, seeing as i was the designated photographer, brought my camera. i was very careful, but must've gotten a bit of sand in the lens. now, when i close the camera, the lens cover wont' close all the way (only one half shuts) and when i turn the camera on it does the normal extending and opening, and i'd be able to use it, but then it freaks out and closes and opens and closes and opens again, and then tells me to turn off and then turn on the camera, but it just keeps doing the same thing. i'm in spain, meaning i can't really go somewhere to get it fixed, or send it back home (i'm a student with not a lot of money). It's a sony cybershot, and i wasn't sure if there was anything i could do? i still have 6 weeks to go and i really want to take pictures..