Another long day at school.
Mathew Barnett sits in the learning centre, staring blankly at a wall, when something catches his eye.
It's a poster.
After closer investigation, Mathew becomes more and more intrigued.
He wants an adventure. He wants worldly experience. He wants to go to Nepal.
Youth to Everest is an organisation, founded by John Gully, which gives groups of young New Zealanders a chance to experience Nepal through treks and mountain climbing.
It is an inspiring, unforgettable experience, and Mathew wanted to be a part of it.
After discovering the Youth to Everest poster, he took it home and searched for a website and then emailed the organisation.
To apply for the trip, Mathew had to write a letter, and then undergo a physical test. He was then accepted.
Next, Mathew had to fundraise to get himself to Nepal. He spent long hours in a summer job saving up the funds for his trip. He asked organisations such as the Lions club.
His grandma made cakes for raffles.
Mathew said his family played the biggest part in helping to raise money.
Once everything was organised, Mathew set off for Auckland and then on to Singapore, where the Youth to Everest group (17 young New Zealanders) would begin their journey.
Singapore was a highlight for Mathew. He enjoyed the way it was so far forward in technology. After Singapore, the group left for Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.
There was such a contrast in the standard of living between Singapore and Kathmandu.
Mathew said it was like going from one extreme to another.
"You don't really believe Third World countries until you see them," Mathew said.
After two days in Kathmandu, the group made its way to the Khumbu Valley at the base of Mt Everest. The group trekked around the valley, visiting villages and experiencing Nepal.
The first sighting of Mt Everest turned the group silent. They stood there, just staring. Tears were shed. It was a surreal and extremely happy moment. Mathew said he felt emotional and, knowing that a New Zealander was the first to climb, it was even more breathtaking. It was a moment he would never forget.
For the next few days, Mathew never saw a car. He spent the days trekking around the Khumbu Valley and exploring the spirituality of the Buddhist culture, visiting the villages and meeting people. He loved spending time with locals, playing sport and just bonding.
"Nothing unites people better than playing a good game of sport," he said.
The people are called "Sherpas", and they are friendly and accepting.
The group had porters, young people who carried bags and cooked and cleaned for the group. They worked exceptionally hard. Mathew thought they were just like New Zealanders, only much more hard-working! All the people were very spiritual.
Mathew didn't expect the Buddhist culture to be as intense as it was.
Everything is based around their faith. Their approach to life was just so different from what he was used to, and Mathew found it really interesting.
For Mathew, a highlight was going to a village in the shadows of Everest and meeting the Llama Geshie, who gives blessings to people looking to climb Mt Everest. He is a very wise man who is high in the Buddhist world. Mathew was blessed by the Llama Geshie. It's a silk blessing, and Mathew wears it around his wrist.
This was another memorable moment for him.
The trip was now coming to an end.
Mathew still keeps in contact with most of the group he travelled with, and he said he probably would for the rest of his life. They all became very close.
On the way home the group stopped off in Singapore. The New Zealand explorers saw their first car in days, and the first McDonald's! The group sprinted inside and ate all they could.
Mathew ate three Big Macs. It was good to see processed food again.
But then, all too soon, the group was back in New Zealand after an amazing expedition.
Mathew was relieved to be home.
He was happy to see his family and friends again, but he also felt sadness.
He had so many memories, but he knew he would miss Nepal. He said it was an interesting feeling, of mixed emotions.
And, the best part of being home?
"Well, Grandma's cheese rolls."
• By Briana Forbes, Year 10, Roxburgh Area School
Mathew Barnett sits in the learning centre, staring blankly at a wall, when something catches his eye.
It's a poster.
After closer investigation, Mathew becomes more and more intrigued.
He wants an adventure. He wants worldly experience. He wants to go to Nepal.
Youth to Everest is an organisation, founded by John Gully, which gives groups of young New Zealanders a chance to experience Nepal through treks and mountain climbing.
It is an inspiring, unforgettable experience, and Mathew wanted to be a part of it.
After discovering the Youth to Everest poster, he took it home and searched for a website and then emailed the organisation.
To apply for the trip, Mathew had to write a letter, and then undergo a physical test. He was then accepted.
Next, Mathew had to fundraise to get himself to Nepal. He spent long hours in a summer job saving up the funds for his trip. He asked organisations such as the Lions club.
His grandma made cakes for raffles.
Mathew said his family played the biggest part in helping to raise money.
Once everything was organised, Mathew set off for Auckland and then on to Singapore, where the Youth to Everest group (17 young New Zealanders) would begin their journey.
Singapore was a highlight for Mathew. He enjoyed the way it was so far forward in technology. After Singapore, the group left for Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.
There was such a contrast in the standard of living between Singapore and Kathmandu.
Mathew said it was like going from one extreme to another.
"You don't really believe Third World countries until you see them," Mathew said.
After two days in Kathmandu, the group made its way to the Khumbu Valley at the base of Mt Everest. The group trekked around the valley, visiting villages and experiencing Nepal.
The first sighting of Mt Everest turned the group silent. They stood there, just staring. Tears were shed. It was a surreal and extremely happy moment. Mathew said he felt emotional and, knowing that a New Zealander was the first to climb, it was even more breathtaking. It was a moment he would never forget.
For the next few days, Mathew never saw a car. He spent the days trekking around the Khumbu Valley and exploring the spirituality of the Buddhist culture, visiting the villages and meeting people. He loved spending time with locals, playing sport and just bonding.
"Nothing unites people better than playing a good game of sport," he said.
The people are called "Sherpas", and they are friendly and accepting.
The group had porters, young people who carried bags and cooked and cleaned for the group. They worked exceptionally hard. Mathew thought they were just like New Zealanders, only much more hard-working! All the people were very spiritual.
Mathew didn't expect the Buddhist culture to be as intense as it was.
Everything is based around their faith. Their approach to life was just so different from what he was used to, and Mathew found it really interesting.
For Mathew, a highlight was going to a village in the shadows of Everest and meeting the Llama Geshie, who gives blessings to people looking to climb Mt Everest. He is a very wise man who is high in the Buddhist world. Mathew was blessed by the Llama Geshie. It's a silk blessing, and Mathew wears it around his wrist.
This was another memorable moment for him.
The trip was now coming to an end.
Mathew still keeps in contact with most of the group he travelled with, and he said he probably would for the rest of his life. They all became very close.
On the way home the group stopped off in Singapore. The New Zealand explorers saw their first car in days, and the first McDonald's! The group sprinted inside and ate all they could.
Mathew ate three Big Macs. It was good to see processed food again.
But then, all too soon, the group was back in New Zealand after an amazing expedition.
Mathew was relieved to be home.
He was happy to see his family and friends again, but he also felt sadness.
He had so many memories, but he knew he would miss Nepal. He said it was an interesting feeling, of mixed emotions.
And, the best part of being home?
"Well, Grandma's cheese rolls."
• By Briana Forbes, Year 10, Roxburgh Area School
