Not so long ago, I bemoaned to a friend that my entire life was condensed to the triangle between Redfern and Newtown stations and Parramatta Road. Home, work, gym, King Street beers, home, work, gym…
It got to the point where I didn’t want to eat out or go drinking in Newtown anymore, which is a problem cos that’s where I meet most of my friends. I even boldly went out to the city and Kings Cross for different adventures in location drinking. Man, did that end up messy!
But my new job is in Rosebery. I walk along Botany Road every day now to and from work. Not the most pleasant walk, maybe, but actually it has reclaimed the ‘other side’ of Redfern for me again. Redfern had stagnated into the 5 cafes around the Sydney Uni end and nothing else.
Now, I realise again how close the IGA is, how awesome the Chinese grocery on Regent Street is, all the fantastic little local shops along that whole strip. I even ventured out to the new Woolworths under the as-yet-unopened Souths club which has a pretty good stock of organic produce (the Woolies, not the club, tho who knows?).
For the first time in a long time, I’m looking forward to going out in Newtown again this Friday night. And waking up on Saturday morning to regret it all.
