Sarah Jones completed the HSC in 2016, used ATAR Notes regularly, and scored a state rank in Studies of Religion II thanks to pure passion and hard work. Sarah has now started her Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Newcastle. Between her studies, Sarah stepped out into the world of travel – starting with India and Nepal. She’s also shared some tips on how to make it all happen – read them here!

As many would realise, in between finishing the HSC and starting University there is a big, gaping, four month hole in your schedule.

For many it’s a time to repair from the chaos that the HSC evoked on your life. To do all the things you couldn’t do before. Finally learn to drive, get a job, sleep all day, bake a cake, learn a language, play an instrument again.

For me, I went backpacking through India and Nepal. And it turned out to be by far the craziest thing I’ve ever done, in the best and worst sense of the word.

Here’s just some of the things I accomplished during my time away:

Eating A Samosa From An Indian Street Stall

This was a potentially fatal bucket list item I was determined to tick off. Luckily they’re fried until the curried potato inside has well and truly died and gone to heaven. So, I scoffed three in a row and tried not to think about where else they’d been besides my mouth.

 

Multiple Near Death Experiences Crossing Roads

I like to think that I am spatially aware, but the amount of times I crossed a road and nearly got struck by a motor vehicle has made me think otherwise. I also hesitated quite a few times, which I now know is a monumental mistake. On the bright side, there was always a legitimate reason to celebrate the joy of living in India.

Taj Mahal in India

I never thought a big stack of marble blocks would be capable of rendering me speechless and completely awestruck. Every good thing that you have heard about the Taj Mahal in India is 110% true. The whole structure is perfectly symmetrical, even down to the tiny carvings in the marble, which satisfied my inner perfectionist like nothing else.

I was the silly tourist wandering around in disposable shoe covers with a camera dangling from my neck, getting ripped off by a fake tour guide lurking inside the building. But nothing else mattered as the sun set and it slowly turned a bright accent colour before fading back to white as dusk settled. Best afternoon ever.

Drinking Chai

In both India and Nepal there seemed to be an incessant desire for people to offer chai tea wherever I went. It’s usually served in tiny cups or little clay pots so you don’t realise the enormous amount you’ve consumed until your bloodstream pretty much turns to chai. Then there’s nothing you can do except drink more because it just tastes so damn good. It’s a hard life for some.

 

Spending 19 Consecutive Hours On A Sleeper Train

So, the train journey was only supposed be 12 hours. But of course, a freight train derailed ahead and there was some epic fog forcing the train to come to a complete stop for several hours. This left plenty of time to play too many games of Uno as well as becoming well acquainted with my 1m x 2m bunk bed, the Indian countryside, and the squat toilets.

Seeing a Bollywood Movie

The movie theatre was packed with people and everyone cheered as the red curtain rose to reveal the screen. Since it was entirely in Hindi I had to try and decipher the specificities of the plot through the dramatic music, intense facial expressions and the emotional state of the audience. All I can say is that it definitely touched on professional female wrestling.

 

Walking Along The Ghats Of The River Ganges

In the city of Varanasi, there are hundreds of Ghats which are steps lining the river bank leading to the water. I saw children running up and down playing with their kites, there were women beating their wet saris against the concrete steps, there were men in nothing but their underwear cupping the river’s waters to their mouth and drinking.

Further down the river at the two cremation Ghats, I passed two corpses waiting patiently covered in flowers and cloth. I saw two others already being cremated – all that remained were ashes and blackened wood. It wasn’t as upsetting as I thought it would be. Something about India makes you feel as though you could see just about anything and be mostly okay with it.

Hearing Damage From Excessive Car Horns

I used to complain about drivers in Australia being incapable of using indicators. And then I found out that we’ve got it real good here. In India, there is no time for those stupid flashing lights. Numerous loud and multi-pitched horns are the only way to alert someone that either you’re coming through or turning left or stopping abruptly or turning right or running someone over because a cow is in your way.

I now find myself using my own car horn a lot more than is socially acceptable back home.

Visiting Where The Buddha Was Born

Being the Studies of Religion nerd that I am, I was way too excited to go to Lumbini in Nepal and stand in the exact spot where Buddha was brought into the world. I had to walk barefoot around the garden and into the temple and stand in a long, winding line leading to a brick wall painted accent. People were kissing the wall and leaving money, some even letting a small tear escape as their hand touched this sacred site. Outside I watched as more people wound chains of Buddhist prayer flags around and between huge trees. Goosebumps.

Checking Out A Buddha Tooth Relic

On a 36-hour stopover in Singapore I stayed at a hostel in Chinatown. It happened to be adjacent to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum. Naturally I was curious as to how a Singaporean Buddhist community managed to get their hands on a single tooth of a man who died a couple of thousand years ago. Despite needing a monk to help me spot it, I can confirm that the tooth is sitting there on the third floor, encased in a whole lot of decorative accent. 

Seeing Wild Rhinos

Back home I can hardly ever nap on demand. Surprisingly, while being away I suddenly could sleep anywhere, including rolling around on the backseat of a jeep on a safari somewhere in the middle of Chitwan National Park in Nepal. After spotting a few rhinos and deer in the distance I started to nod off. Suddenly the car stopped. I looked to my right and was greeted by a huge, magnificent rhino standing just 3 metres away. Close enough to snap at least 28 options for Instagram. Far enough to avoid getting squashed like a sultana in the event of a stampede.

Mount Everest

Since there is no way I am ever going to try and climb that beast, seeing it from a mountain flight was as good as it’s going to get. The Himalayas were breathtaking and the pilot let me walk into the cockpit to get a better photo. Plus, complimentary champagne. All done and landed back in Kathmandu again before breakfast time. Need I say more?

And how could I forget the biggest perk of my trip: No one cared what my ATAR was.


Hoping to do something like this post-HSC? Sarah’s shared her tips for how to make it happen. Read them here!