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more days 'till Tropical... 2
more days 'till Tropical...1
more day 'till Tropical.
What, you demand to know, is Tropical? Well, if you, the world wide travelers of the web attend a small New England Liberal Arts College, like our Trinity College, you know that Tropical is Psi-U's most famous fiesta. By "famous," I mean that people come to Trinity from all over the tri-state region to partake in Psi Upsilon's fanfare, frolic, fun, and gold-fish-filled frenzy.
This past Saturday night, like the good sorority girl that I am, I waded through 7 tons of sand, weaved between 12 tikki-torches, collected as many multi-colored shiny plastic leias as I could- because the more you have around your neck the more "in spirit" you feel(plus you can hang them on your doorknob for the rest of the year), dodged the two grey garbage barrels/fish tanks for the fear of having a slimy gold-fish grabbed from the 1000's of its schoolmates and deposited in my cup (which curiously had been filled, by my own hand, nonetheless, with an orangey-pink liquid with unidentified floating fruit in its midst), and finally, through the throngs of people(freshmen), I reached the 4 feet deep pool/pit. This particular pit is the entertainment for the night. The gold-fish (for which I did not opt, and artfully dodged) do provide for some excitement as the swallowing phenomena does occur continuously and is indeed thoroughly documented (a friend told me, proudly, that he ate 7 live goldfish at his freshman Tropical). However, in my veteran experience the pit watching as more fun (pit-side seats are held by only the most prestigious and powerful guests).
After being at the party only a few minutes I watched as two senior girls pushed an unassuming freshman boy(who, all too temptingly, had his back to the girls and was leaning way too far into the pool) into the cold pit of water (and who knows what else) and followed him in, as well! These girls were old pros though, skipped home, changed clothes, and were back in the game with little time spared. Later that night I saw both of them go in three more times! To each to his own, I guess.
Another reccurring theme of the famous Psi-U party is the 210 pound lifeguard. Usually the brothers of the fraternity prefer the lifeguard to be of a distinguishable weight, for the boy who is summoned to the balcony at the magical hour becomes the second most exciting event of the evening. The chosen pledge appears above, tooting his whistle, (gathering everyone's attention away from whatever and whoever they are doing), outfitted in the most obnoxious, neon-colored, tight Speedo, -fully stuffed- to be heckled, as only Frat boys know how, and sprayed with cold, sticky beer. After this incredible humiliation, which was all in good humor at the time, everyone returns to their prey and the party goes on (and on) (and on). . . . . . perhaps, like forever, you know, because it is famous.
