Walking up Pitt Street from Circular Quay in Sydney on a fine autumn day you have the chance to witness the true blue of the South. There is no finer or clearer sky than that of the east coast of Australia where the breezes of the sea wash away the city pollution and leave a bright blue sky.
It is with a small gasp, when you look up to the left into the true blue morning sky, between the ‘towers of the devil’, the banks, insurance and investment houses, that the sky appears as an expressionist work of art.
Beside you and across the road are tourist traps selling the widest range of ‘Oztraliana’, from Didgeridoos and boomerangs to stuffed koalas and kangaroos, Uggboots, slouch hats and the traditional Driazzabone coats – and some are even produced here.
Don’t rush, Didgeridont! Seek the true blue.
Walk on into the dark channel as the buildings meld together to steal the light until the bustle of each corner, the ringing of the pedestrian crossing lights and the rush of taxis may take your mind away from the sky hiding way above you.
Fortunately, the caretakers of the CBD - Central Business District - chose to block the concrete growth at Martin Place where the traditional business centre had been 100 years ago, and they created a broad pedestrian mall into which the warm blue light dives and creates a peaceful haven.
Stand near the flower sellers and smell the fresh aroma of today’s pickings, bought that dawn at the flower market west of the city. Don't fail to look east up the mall and into the true blue above you.
Returning to your morning stroll, you find that nearly all of the coffee shops have been Italianised – latte rather than milk and passably good espresso, in great preference to other cities that have been Starbucked, though the American traveller can still find some fast-food havens for their peculiar taste buds.
Walk into the Pitt St Mall and meander through the arcades and centres, new and old, search for something authentic, or just find Dymock’s and choose a reminder of your visit to Sydney, a scenic book with photos of the city and harbour under the true blue of the South.
Maybe it is time for an early lunch, fresh fish from the fish markets on the edge of the city is unbeatable, coupled with a cold bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, that may even come from Kiwi land across the channel, and a gaze into the midday sun in the true blue sky of the south.
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