Day 2

7th of May 2008. The day when many of us would face, having plenty of perseverance, confidence and mental as well as physical support from classmates. We learnt the rules and regulations about rope courses. We did indoor rock climbing to start off with as it was raining outside. The first classmate who started and whom I supported, literally, was Rachael. She kept me really awake and well shaken whenever she dropped into my hands from a height. She never gave up and eventually reached the top and everyone cheered the loudest they could. She took a long while but everyone was proud of her for not giving in. This was one classmate who has left me a deep impression. We proceeded on the campfire preparations. No one wanted to start the ball rolling as we did not have much inspiration. Fortunately, Sherrill took away the uneasiness among us. We agreed to do a dance item.

The rain stopped. We went to the high elemental rope courses area. The broken bridge seemed as though it was smiling cruelly upon me. The winds shook it and it moved sideways, the sight of it made me nauseous and faint. The rain was coming back, only one classmate, Elle, tried. She was way up; I didn’t think it was funny to see her shake so vigorously on the bridge. Most of my classmates went into the shelter to further prepare for the campfire. Staying on as Elle’s physical supporter, I was able to see her shining face when she finally came down from the bridge. Just then, I never imagined we were going back to the broken bridge.

The weather turned out fine later and we returned to the broken bridge. Those who have not gone for the rock climbing should go for the broken bridge obstacle. I could not escape. As time was short and not many could try, I still ended up being the last one to cross that appalling broken bridge. I did not want to run away from one of my utmost fears; I did not want to be discouraged by my friends and I rushed at it. I suppose not only did I take the longest to climb; I also kept my classmates really anxious. The broken bridge was so shaky and it nearly threw me off many more times than I wanted. I shook worse than a cold and shivering chicken. This was definitely not as easy as it looked before I set my mind to cross it. It was as though the broken bridge was broken into many more pieces. I wasn’t going to let go of the side ropes of the broken bridge; I persevered more than ever. I made it, finally. I got embarrassed whenever some classmates told me how envious they were and how good I kept at persevering. This experience will always be etched in my memories.

Through the evening we spent, the instructors showed some jokes and taught us many cheers and some campfire songs, most of these to which I’ll remember for long. For the last activity we did before lights out, one person from one group was “kidnapped” and we had to solve puzzles to get two keys to free our group mate who was Elle. After a puzzle was completed, we had to choose a number to get one key. The process was repeated until we got the two keys which turned out to be no. one and twenty of all combinations! We carried Elle who was thankfully quite light up the stairs, taking care never to drop her and did a cheer before letting her down. We weren’t the last group to finish. Looking forward to the next day!