The kinda learning you can’t get elsewhere - Susanna Ng

Amongst the different kinds of learning processes, learning from the world is the best. In this column, Susanna Ng, an amateur backpacker explores life's lessons while conquering the world one step at a time.

Living and learning in a red-light district.

by Susanna Ng.

I cautiously made my way through the crowd lugging a huge backpack on my shoulders, looking for the right platform in Central station that would take us to King Cross - a red light district in Sydney where we were to spend the next three days.

            Thankfully, there were plenty of seats in the double-deck train. Stepping out of the underground station, a bustling atmosphere greeted me. This was the King Cross, the red-light capital of Australia famed for drugs, strip clubs and drinking.

            The job at hand was to find a place to stay and of course, when you’re a girl who budget travels, you look out for funkiest and cleanest hostel. Guided by a Google map print-out of the roads in King Cross, we checked into a 6-person dorm with two British guys moments later. For girls out there who want to budget travel, get used to living with guys as you’ll find yourself outnumbered most times.

            As night fell, we took a train to the city centre to get a glimpse of the Sydney Opera House. It was a nice walk through the city despite the strong wind and drizzle. The day ended with an experience of culture shock knowing exactly what prostitutes in King Cross wore under their short skirts. Nothing.

            We awoke to a blanket of mist and dust the next morning. I clearly remember wondering if people in Sydney ever washed their cars. Every vehicle we passed was almost covered by brown dust.

           

            The day was spent visiting Chinatown, Darling Harbour, Star City, Luna Park and the Olympic Park by foot and public transport. It was a whole lot of walking!

We arrived in King Cross just when all the action was about to start. Walking through the streets at night where drunkards, drug dealers and prostitutes lingered around definitely forced a certain amount of awareness and street smarts.

Our final day in Sydney was spent on a road trip to Bankstown and the famous Blue Mountains – home of the Three Sisters; a natural wonder.

It was at the Three Sisters that I truly felt the pleasure of being able to see another piece of the world.

The experience of living minimally in a red-light district amongst people of diverse backgrounds is definitely a learning process which teaches survival skills and acceptance of true humanity. More importantly, it forces one to look at life and the world from bottom up. It is a lesson of reality that you might never get elsewhere.

 

-end-

Next week: City camping in Gold Coast - Close to nature, close to civilization.