Thursday, 27 May 2010

Darlinghurst - A wrinkle in the fabric of a city


Sydney is a city riddled with wrinkles. It is the ‘Benjamin Button’ of cities. Founded on the edge of a steep drowned valley, the topography is ‘wrinkle’ personified: ‘a small furrow, ridge or crease caused by crumpling, folding or shrinking.’ Sydney was born wrinkled and its inhabitants are doing their best to iron these out, to flatten them.


As you travel east from the city centre, it is all up hill and down dale, and onto these furrows and ridges and creases cling small, dishevelled suburbs that are a testament to man’s vision and perseverance. One such suburb is Darlinghurst, which sits atop the second ridge east of the town, wedged in by old cart tracks which are now eight lane highways.


Darlinghurst is a balagan, similar to Kings Cross but minus the sleaze and the criminal element. It is chaotic and messy, but with a warm welcoming embrace. The people hail from the furthest crevaces of the planet, encompassing all ages, all religions and all colours. Darlinghurst is a joy.



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28 comments:

  1. LoisMay 27, 2010 2:21 am

    I love the way your words and pictures paint such a lovely view of this place Julie. It makes me want to visit!

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  2. CloudyMay 27, 2010 3:08 am

    Greatful pics! Yeah, Sydney is a wonderful City, but so far away from old Germany...
    Servus and have a nice day
    Kvelli

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  3. Luis GomezMay 27, 2010 5:24 am

    These are beautiful! I used to live on Bourton Street right across Green Park. In fact I would open my door to it. I loved the neighborhood and its people. All of these images bring so many lovely memories. Thank you.

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  4. Everyday GoddessMay 27, 2010 6:00 am

    i love the richness in your photography and words!

    someday i'll visit Sydney!

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  5. brattcatMay 27, 2010 6:15 am

    It's always a joy with you as our guide.

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  6. BillMay 27, 2010 6:42 am

    I like that expression: The Benjamin Button of cities. Tell us more about the building in the first shot. Was it or is it a pavilion of some sort?

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  7. DimpleMay 27, 2010 6:58 am

    I'm getting a good look at Darlinghurst--Jim over at Sydney-City and Suburbs showed the jail and courthouse yesterday. I like yours as a rounding out of the view!
    I also like the idea that Sydney is wrinkled and folded!
    Nice shots and narrative.

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  8. JulieMay 27, 2010 7:40 am

    Luis, I'm glad you like the Green Park shot. I read on Jim's blog that you lived on Burton St.
    Dimple, yep I know Jim covered Darlinghurst earlier this week. We have discussed that every so often we will overlap, but we have such different approaches ...

    Bill, this is Green Park which is a handkerchief wedged in between St Vincents, the Jewish Museum and the old Darlinghurst gaol. I am not sure what the pavilion started life as, but my guess is a band stand. Until about a year ago it was a cafe. Now, sadly, it is between engagements. Green Park has a large gay memorial, being as it is opposite 'The Wall'. It is right on the 389 bus route for your next trip down here.

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  9. JimMay 27, 2010 7:59 am

    I really like the bandstand. Shame they daon't have the cafe there any more. Seems like a perfect spot for one. Good collection of shots from different aspects of Darlo.
    Sydney - City and Suburbs

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  10. Rinkly RimesMay 27, 2010 8:06 am

    I love Sydney (though it's too big to live in!) but your words and pictures give it added attraction.

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  11. Monkey ManMay 27, 2010 8:09 am

    What a fabulous tour of Sydney. Thanks for stopping by my Wrinkle, so I could follow you to yours.

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  12. Joan ElizabethMay 27, 2010 8:47 am

    I think I've only walked around there once and enjoyed it ... guess I got another walk today.

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  13. Brian MillerMay 27, 2010 9:20 am

    these are some great pics and a wonderful description of the city...would love to visit sometime. happy theme thursday!

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  14. AnnMay 27, 2010 10:32 am

    Thanks for the extra info on the first shot, I had the same questions. Extra info now added to my blog where I have it with me.

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  15. ~CherylMay 27, 2010 2:04 pm

    Who could resist a visit to a place named Darlinghurst? Very charming and informative post! Thank you!

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  16. Kris McCrackenMay 27, 2010 3:19 pm

    Darlinhurst is one expensive gewrinclod these days.

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  17. lewi14@gmail.comMay 27, 2010 4:31 pm

    Wonderful Darlinghurst photos. Thank you. I can wholeheartedly agree with your opinion about Darlinghurst. I've always enjoyed my walk through this alive quarter.

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  18. Bruce CaspersonnMay 27, 2010 5:23 pm

    For a long time, when young, I thought it's proper name was Darlo.

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  19. PeterMay 27, 2010 5:29 pm

    LOve Darlo, lots of character and characters, a entrancing series of photos, like the light on the crest and the rise up to the bandstand. Need to get the dictionary out -balagan?

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  20. diane bMay 27, 2010 8:10 pm

    Wonderful prose to enhance your photos. How it has changed. I would love my mum to be able to see how it has changed since she worked there all those years ago. I remember walking up the hill from Museum Station to Taylor's Square, Darlinghurst.

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  21. VirginiaMay 27, 2010 10:59 pm

    What fine series here Julie. THe top shot won my heart though. THat sweet couple just makes it. Just lovely.
    V

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  22. AnonymousMay 27, 2010 11:01 pm

    Difficult to comment, all the pictures are specials one for the composition, another one for the colours, originality, bref, delightful views!
    Serge

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  23. Nanc TwopMay 28, 2010 3:54 am

    Nice.

    Now I want to go buy myself a plane ticket...

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  24. moondustwriterMay 28, 2010 12:07 pm

    Love it want to go to beautiful wrinkled Sydney

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  25. California GirlMay 28, 2010 10:18 pm

    Lovely tour and photos. Is the first photo a carousel?

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  26. PattiKenMay 29, 2010 6:59 am

    Thanks for the tour and great pictures. I'm with Nanc T. I want to visit!

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  27. Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis HallMay 30, 2010 8:35 am

    wonderful tour,
    Happy Saturday!

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  28. Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis HallMay 31, 2010 4:50 am

    http://jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com/2010/05/29/week-20-poets-rally-poetry-awards-plus/

    two awards from the bottom,
    Happy Sunday!

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