One of the things I love the most about my (relatively new) job is the fact that every day, in these same streets I thought I knew like the back of my hand, I keep on discovering new things. Details I hadn't noticed, hidden staircases I had never seen before, interesting colours on a wall, jewelry 'ateliers' tucked away in quiet alleyways...
To me, that's the beauty of staying a tourist in one's own city. Do yourself a favour: keep your eyes open, don't become blasé, don't get stuck in the same routine, walking the same streets and going out to the same places all the time. You'll be amazed by what you'll discover.
Take this shot, for instance. I was walking in Paddington with clients the other night when I came across these stairs I had NEVER noticed before, and I instantly fell in love with the scene. Really liked the dramatic light / darkness contrast, the strong architectural lines and the eerie feeling created by the obstructed view at the top of the stairs. Very Hitchcock!
Now this other picture was shot in The Rocks last year, during the VIVID illuminations Festival (27 May-21 June 2010). I remember I was walking fast to try and catch my ferry back to Manly when something stopped me dead in my tracks. I looked up and took in the poetry of the scene, with this beautiful rainbow lighting, the moving silhouette and its reflection in the water, after the rain. All of this on my doorstep (well, sort of) and I could have missed it had I not paid enough attention!
So tell me, dear reader, are you a tourist in your own city? Are you paying enough attention to the beauty around you?
You writing is so poetic and inspiring.
I love the photo of the stairs, it reminds me of a similar photo I've taken in Manly. (I'm always taking photos of stairs)
Evocative photo Miss M.
Posted by: Catherine White | 05/15/2010 at 04:38 PM
Thank you Catherine!! Coming from you, such a talented writer, this is an honour!! I'd love to see your pictures of stairs one day... A couple of weeks ago, I took clients on the cruise to Port Hacking from Cronulla and there were hundreds of amazing stairs along the way, I couldn't stop taking pictures ;-)
Posted by: Myriam | 05/15/2010 at 06:10 PM
Absolutely! Even though I was born and bred here I still love the little surprises that I encounter every day! :)
Posted by: Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella | 05/15/2010 at 09:46 PM
Myriam ~ I too have just been thinking exactly the same thing - People crave to go to other parts of the globe to explore, when what is in their own backyard goes unturned!
We are so busy looking where we are going we are often too blinkered to notice the detail that lies around us on either side of our path -
This is so funny, here is the link to my blogpost on virtually the same topic! LOL
http://journeyjottings.com/blog/2010/05/travelling-on-home-turf/
Posted by: Linda | 05/15/2010 at 10:59 PM
Lorraine > I know very few people who know the city like yourself, my dear!! This is the reason why I love reading your blog so much (www.notquitenigella.com), I'm sure every time I visit it I'll come across something I didn't know about Sydney... Thanks for sharing all this with us!
Posted by: Myriam | 05/17/2010 at 12:43 PM
Linda > Hello Linda, and thank you for your comment. I really enjoyed reading your post, thank you for sharing - we're definitely on the same page here! I've been following you on Twitter for a while now, I'll need to get myself a copy of your maps one day, I'm intrigued ;-)
Posted by: Myriam | 05/17/2010 at 12:46 PM