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.
All amazing shots here, Julie. Someday I'd like to come and walk with you through these neighborhoods.
ReplyDeleteIt 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.
ReplyDeleteEvery 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.
ReplyDeleteThat 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.
ReplyDeleteThe daytime shots of the fountain certainly makes the place look quite pleasant.
ReplyDeleteKings Cross 2011? Is that a typo? For a minute there, I thought you had transported us to the future. :)
Sydney - City and Suburbs
Jim, It is the postcode of both KX and PP.
ReplyDeleteJulie, you don't want to hang around "the Cross" too much,,,you might get picked up for vagrancy.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteThe Coke sign would have been a good one for theme day. Love the top left fountain shot, looks like flowers.
ReplyDeleteOh, 2011 is the postcode. It didn't click. :)
ReplyDeleteSydney - City and Suburbs
Amazing shots Julie, especially the fountain !
ReplyDeleteSuch 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteV
*grin*
ReplyDeleteYou've hit the nail on the head, VJ!
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.
ReplyDeleteOh My! That fountain reminds me of a peacocks tail - it is beautiful!
ReplyDeletegreat close ups - love the enjoy and the fountain outlets
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
ReplyDeleteYou've photographed the two good bits of the cross ... the fountain shot is terrific.
ReplyDeleteAre we going to have a series covering every postcode in Sydney?
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.
ReplyDeletePotts 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.
I love the 'Enjoy' shot so very much! It's amazing how cool something can be if taken from the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful what that fountain does to the water.
ReplyDeleteAfter looking up "doddle" and "glassing" I could understand.
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.
ReplyDeleteLove the fountain. This place sounds like a place I would want to visit. I'm funny that way. :-)
ReplyDeleteDina, two new Aussie words, eh? That will help you understand your grandchildren then,.
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