When I was a child, what I looked forward to most were days when we would be absent from school, such as midterm breaks, school holidays or public holidays.

Holidays meant freedom. No more school, no more homework, and no more early mornings. Instead, I had endless hours to explore, play, and let my imagination run wild. Each day was a blank canvas, ready to be filled with adventure and fun playing with my friends.

I remember waking up early, the sun already warm and bright, and heading outside to meet my friends. Our neighborhood became our playground. We enjoyed running through the streets, climbing trees, playing hide and seek and other games that only we understood. The days were filled with laughter, scraped knees, and the kind of joy that only children know.

I hated school so much because of the mean class teacher who would always beat me with their cane for every little mistake. I knew how to read then but I was always scared to do it so she always wants to force me and she was doing it by flogging me everytime. If we didn't pay school fees early she'd flog me, if my books are not complete I'll receive strokes of cane, this happens severally that I became so afraid of coming to school. Thus holidays were my favorite days!

But funny enough at home with my friends we would also read aloud our books to each other and I was among the best readers who could read very fluently. We used to do play school at home where one volunteered to be a teacher and the rest of us the students. I never volunteer to be a teacher but I always volunteer to read out books.

Another thing that made the holidays more fun was visiting the village, especially during the harmattan season on December.
The village is what all of us children looked forward to. All our relatives, uncles and friends are there and we all share meals together.
Visiting the village rivers is one of the best adventures, walking around and visiting other friends and returning with gifts were more fun.

The sunset and sunrise in the village is always very beautiful to look at and the feeling it gives is super amazing!

My holidays during the harmattan season were very heartwarming. The harmattan, with its dry, dusty winds and cool mornings, marks a distinct shift in the atmosphere, bringing a feeling of change.
Evenings during harmattan are magical. There's a sense of closeness and togetherness that the cooler weather brings, all of us children always go out to the village square to play till it's nightfall.
I enjoyed and cherished these moments, knowing that they were creating memories that would last a lifetime.

Apart from the activities and trips, what I looked forward to most was the feeling of unbridled freedom and happiness. It was a time when worries were few, and the world was full of wonder.

It was from when my mom put me in another school that I started enjoying my school days, I had teachers who encouraged me rather than punished me, and I began to develop a love for learning. I would miss school during the holidays, and I would also miss the holidays when it was time for school. This balance brought a new kind of joy and contentment to my life.

The transition from hating school to enjoying it was a significant change for me. It taught me the importance of a supportive and nurturing environment for learning and growth. It also made me appreciate the value of holidays even more, as they provided a time to relax, recharge, and return to school with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

Looking back, my childhood holidays were a blend of freedom, adventure, and the warmth of family and friends. They were the times that shaped my love for simplicity and harmony, and they remain some of my most cherished memories.

Remembering and sharing these experiences gives me renewed joy and I'm happy that this prompt by @ericvancewalton gives me the opportunity to reflect and share. Below is the link if you wish to participate in the initiative:

As a child, what did you look forward to the most