Maira Gupta​, Grade 11
UWCSEA East Campus



Ah! Just if time machines existed! 

Times spent with family, are surely the best moments one can live. If I had a time machine, I would go back to my pre-covid family trip - July 2016. It was when I was in grade 7 and we lived in India. Together with my grandparents and extended family, we flew to Thailand and Singapore for our family reunion. My dad’s two elder sisters flew in with their families from the states, while my grandparents made their way from India. This trip is one that I can definitely say is one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Often after the trip, when we returned back home I would wish that there would be a device that opens up in front of one like a TV and replays any moment that one would like- almost as if showing a CCTV recording of the event/experience. 

This trip means so much to me because it is the oldest recollection that I have of meeting my cousins, aunts, and uncles. While I was told that I had met them before this trip as well, I didn't remember any of those times, I only heard stories about those times from family. So this trip naturally holds a very special place in my heart. We all bonded together, shared laughs, cooked together, went to explore a whole bunch of new places together, and had an amazing time! Throughout our stay, we traveled to 3 destinations, 2 in Thailand, and then we came to Singapore. Our trip included river rafting, night safaris, taking pictures with lion cubs, and a whole lot of other fun activities. So this holiday wasn't just one where I enjoyed with family but also experienced new adventures and immersed myself in fun challenges. 

If I could go back in time and relive these moments, I would appreciate this opportunity that God gave us all to meet and enjoy! Particularly I would go back to the Airbnb we rented in Thailand. It was a huge property and had a cute backyard that was the absolute perfect dinner spot for such a family reunion. With the lights in the back, the barbeque pit, the delicious Indian food, and of course- the fact that we all were here together. But I would just revisit Thailand for the house we stayed at but also because of the fun experiences and memories we have from there. The one that we recount the most often, and laugh at was when my sister lost her phone- naturally, it didn't seem as funny at the time as does today! We were out on a boat ride, during which we got drenched by the rain that coincidentally also poured in during our ride. It was enjoyable though, a unique experience we liked to call it, but little did we know the adventure wasn't over yet! Just as we got off the boat, my sister started looking for her phone and announced to us in panic that she had lost it. We frantically searched for it on the boat, in everyone's bag,  pockets everything, nowhere to be found. We eventually came to the unfortunate conclusion that she had carelessly dropped into the water. but … miracles happen! All of a sudden my cousin brother comes running in and tells us that he found it in the car, where my sister had forgotten it… ah thank god! We all sighed with relief! 

Now of course this is just one story, there were countless such moments on the trip that I would absolutely love to reexperience… now just if a time machine actually existed! 

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