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A Giant Watermelon, Thunderstorms, and a Broken Mop – Here’s to the Forever Memories
Why we shouldn’t forget in a hurry
“Year nines, give the year tens their watermelon back. Year tens, give the year nines their bedsheets and pillows back.”
That was just the start.
The two-year groups had an ongoing rivalry. They stole our watermelon, so we stole their sheets and pillows. Justice, right? I don’t know, but the above telling off sure was memorable.
Then came a four-hour training session under the booming thunder of an angry Zeus. After, we staged a water fight for the ages. The result? A broken mop. Our punishment? Banished to our rooms for the night. That evening saw three new dance moves invented and laughter so hard my face went stiff.
That was my school football trip to Rotterdam. I was 15, had never done anything like it before, and I will never forget it. I still have the printed photo of my friends and me holding our massive watermelon. He became our companion for the week (until we ate him).
Looking back, I ask myself why I remember that week so vividly.
Here’s why.