Tuesday 23 March 2010

Eastern suburbs - Kings Cross - Postcode 2011


High up on the eastern ridge overlooking the city, Kings Cross is the angled intersection of Darlinghurst Road with Victoria Street.

Kings Cross is a doddle during the day. Yet, the evening news carries images of drunks wrestling in gutters, and a young police-woman bashed to within an inch of her life. Not to mention the horrors of 'glassing'. But during the day, I watch as the elderly and the painfully thin, infirm young, wend their way across Fitzroy Gardens to the IGA or the local Centre-Link to lodge a complaint about their pension.


In 1963, when I was 15, I walked Darlinghurst Road with my parents to find a way to celebrate the end of one traumatic year and the beginning of another. Naive, conservative citizens, we flocked to admire the newly installed 'El Alamein Fountain'. Rather than show the seedier side of the suburb, here are two icons of Kings Cross that hark back to that gentler time, the fountain and the Coke billboard atop the crossover.

25 comments:

brattcat said...

All amazing shots here, Julie. Someday I'd like to come and walk with you through these neighborhoods.

James said...

It looks like a lovely place. It sound like it should be called Jeckel and Hyde. It's really hard to imagine this place changing so much at night. I really enjoyed the pictures.

Unknown said...

Every city has its untidy corners and Sydney is no exception. Although from your photos it clearly has its attractions as well. Have a good week.

Clytie said...

That fountain has to be one of the most beautiful and visually interesting ones I've ever seen. Your photo of it, glistening in the sun, is amazing.

Jim said...

The daytime shots of the fountain certainly makes the place look quite pleasant.
Kings Cross 2011? Is that a typo? For a minute there, I thought you had transported us to the future. :)
Sydney - City and Suburbs

Julie said...

Jim, It is the postcode of both KX and PP.

Bruce Caspersonn said...

Julie, you don't want to hang around "the Cross" too much,,,you might get picked up for vagrancy.

Julie said...

I am just a little old lady, Bruce, with a backpack and a large camera, wearing outsized sunnies and a floppy hat! People are intruiged by what I do.

Ann said...

The Coke sign would have been a good one for theme day. Love the top left fountain shot, looks like flowers.

Jim said...

Oh, 2011 is the postcode. It didn't click. :)
Sydney - City and Suburbs

Piyush Garyali said...

Amazing shots Julie, especially the fountain !

Unknown said...

Such wonderful looks into your area. I really love the Coca Cola, it is one of the products that unites many people in the world. There is a place in Jackson, MS just down the way from me that bottles the drink for many in the USA.

Virginia said...

I learn from you every time I visit. That Coke sign is terrific Julie. Now on Theme Day you'll be wishing you'd held onto it, unless you have something even better up your sleeve!
V

Julie said...

*grin*
You've hit the nail on the head, VJ!

Magpie said...

It amazes me how the sun going down can change a neighborhood so much. Sad really. But your pictures are beautiful. I love the fountain.

Janet said...

Oh My! That fountain reminds me of a peacocks tail - it is beautiful!

Peter said...

great close ups - love the enjoy and the fountain outlets

Mirela said...

The fountain is wonderful! As always, you managed to create something extraordinary out of the ordinary, boring Coca-Cola ad... I'd put a few of those first shots on my wall.

Joan Elizabeth said...

You've photographed the two good bits of the cross ... the fountain shot is terrific.

Are we going to have a series covering every postcode in Sydney?

Julie said...

Arrggghhhh!!!!! Don't wish that upon me! I am restricting myself to maybe a dozen in the East. I have collected information on about half that lot thus far.

Potts Point, Kings Cross, Millers Point, The Rocks, Darlinghurst, East Sydney, Paddingon, Wooolloomooloo, Elizabeth Bay, Rushcutters Bay, Woollahra and Double Bay.

My immediate area in addition to the CBD.

Unknown said...

I love the 'Enjoy' shot so very much! It's amazing how cool something can be if taken from the whole thing.

Dina said...

Beautiful what that fountain does to the water.
After looking up "doddle" and "glassing" I could understand.

Killara girl said...

my, my, everything is still exactly the same....i have a pic with my brother & i in front of that fountain at night...lets see about 1970.

Marla said...

Love the fountain. This place sounds like a place I would want to visit. I'm funny that way. :-)

Julie said...

Dina, two new Aussie words, eh? That will help you understand your grandchildren then,.