Sydney 2014 Day 6

Today was actually sunny for once though the sun did go behind the clouds for a little while and then popped out to say hello. It wasn’t extremely hot like as I havnt found it to be overly hot while in Sydney even if I have been working up a sweat while on the run.

I had no real plan this morning other than to meet up with some friends from uni who were turning up around midday. I decided I wanted to head over to Kings Cross for a wander as I hadn’t given the area a really good look other than several times near dark when the lights had come on, which meant that I was going to have to head off. This time I would be there in the morning before the crowds had arrived for a good time. I did quickly get ready while some friends expressed concern for me that I was heading to the one place that did have a reputation even though my logic was to be there during the day and not night. I wasn’t too worried about my welfare as I can look after myself, but have not encountered that much trouble on any trip yet.

I took the first bus that I could get on and my first stop was to get off at Taylor Square, where I didn’t head towards Kings Cross straight away as I headed into the other direction past Coco Cubano and some building that had a bright artwork painted all over it. It can be ugly though, but different. I did find some unique things too look at and I think this area is part of Darlinghurst especially since there was things I had found on the wander. A building near the local Woolworths had a building that was called the stables, but not sure if they were actual stables. By pure accident I found a strange lamp in a backstreet that I soon learnt was called Mary Place and at night the lamp was meant to be a sign of reflection and recognition as a lady who was a lesbian had been brutally raped in the area and the social history to the area was being recognised. I found this to be a different way of showing people history and I am not sure if the area is actually on the map. By this time I headed across the road where there was a market going on in Taylor Square that was next to Darlinghurst Court house. The sandstone building was interesting and I think it would be nice to have a little look into the history of the building though I don’t know if the courthouse is still working or now just a historic building. The gates are closed, but there is work going on within the building.

To the side of the courthouse I found a nice looking building that did say police station though no cop cars were outside, but must be like the courthouse. I think they made the city with a mixture of old and new buildings. I was following what was the Courthouse and ended up with parts of the Darlinghurst goal that is now a university, college or school for the arts. I did enter the arts place and it was interesting taking a small walk. There were more sandstone building including the guard building with the skull and crossbones as I was wondering why it was there since I am guessing that it meant danger for everyone. I did see a security guard who was helping some people out who was part of the arts scene near the cafe. I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to wander aimlessly through the goal area, but I was starting to become pressed for time as anything can happen during the time as I do know I will get lost in my thoughts and wanderings.

 I did end up in Kings Cross taking pictures of the iconic coke sign and the city from the main street, well Darlinghurst street, but I found a theatre up the road called the Stable theatre and I was off down Darlinghurst street following the markers on the footpath explaining different parts to the Cross. For instance there were windmills in the area in the early days of Sydney and the area was also known by several other areas. The markers were actually interesting and I did find that the pubs were open and people were in them. I had some woman run past me shouting maaaaate and I got cracked by her hand across my stomach and she never said sorry. I did make sure I had my valuables in my shorts. Those were my wallet, phone and ipod though I would have noticed if that was gone since I was podcasting. I think she was one of the local characters and I would meet another in a park. I found a small market across from the police station and the fountain, where I crossed the road to find out what was there. I had a cute little sausage dog come up to me and say hello. I seem to attract some puppies that are nice little dogs. I had to take off down towards Potts Point and found a building or apartments called The Manar, where Nelle Melba once lived amongst other people. I thought this was pretty cool and I had found some stairs on a map that caused some class divide in the early years and while I couldn’t find them I had to Google using my phone.

 I headed straight for the location once I had the name McElhone Stairs known also as the stairs of doom according to Wikipedia. I realised last time I was in Sydney I had actually walked down them once I chickened out about visiting Kings Cross. I never realised how close I actually was to the area. I took some back streets back to the main part of Kings Cross and had found the Jolly Swagman hostel next to an area I think is called the arts area, which is behind Darlinghurst Street. Once I popped out onto the main street I found the information centre, which had nothing to do the historic Kings Cross area. They might not have any unless its all down towards the area of The Rocks, where I had picked up all the leaflettes. The pubs were not the only things that were open that you would associate with a night time Kings Cross, but also the adult establishments too. I dont know if the ladies standing outside were tourists or part of the scene, but I did keep walking. I did follow some more information on the street as I was now on my way towards Paddington, while following the hospital that I was using as a landmark to put me out to Taylor Square again. I stopped for something quick to eat before ending up to the house. The others who were turning up had their own problems with trains breaking down, traffic jams and cars breaking down.

The uni buddies soon turned up even if they were a little late not that there is a problem with that as weekends being what they are and a long weekend as well. It is always great to meet up and have several beers and a big lunch too. It was a great way of spending the afternoon after all the running around I had done during the week. I did get an offer next time for a tour around the quarry sites, where Sydney had gotten their sandstone for the buildings. Its near the casino as well, which should be loads of fun. There are times where I need to be the tourist being guided instead of floating around the city trying to find the historic sights, but I think I have found plenty so far on my trip that people have not even realised that were there. Tomorrow is the day when I do fly out to go home and back to my life. Life goes back to normal, though I don’t leave until the afternoon.