Town Centre

After writing teeline passages about town centres, I've begun to wonder if they still exist.

If you believe the promotional imagery at your large nearby carbon copy shopping centre, its a place to meet friends and get all your to-do lists done.

When people-watching the other day at yet another Westfield, families kept to themselves, couples walked oblivious, school children gossiped and individuals moved with determination. No-one outside of shops seemed to actually interacting.

Architects impressions of new shopping centres highlight the building and the brand as the main attraction to the complex. People are barely decoration on the footpath or public areas even though they lure the viewer into the image and sell the concept as a place to be. It remains the same when these centres are built.

Reading the local paper, I came across an ad for my local block of shops. It termed the shops as 'a shopping centre where everyone knows your name'.
Like a lot of 1960-70s suburban shops in Hamilton, it is a singular row of shops with parking in the front and a large pot-holed car park at the back.

Owned by a family trust, basic necessities such as butcher, vet, fruiterer and real estate agent have gone. Replaced by cafes, therapists and furniture upholsters.

I won't term it the epicentre for the local community, but then maybe we don't require a modern version of the town square.

We call, text and meet at other locations on the move. The world doesn't stand still for us to interact with others.

city + friend

I once lived in the big city but now I live outside in a smaller one.
Suburbia and me aren't the greatest mix so as often as possible I'll liven the weekend with an impromptu trip.

I drink in the atmosphere of bright lights, signs, noise and traffic but continue to be fascinated by dark alleyways, old arcades and empty developments.

So I seek them out, question safety and have a quick look usually with a camera. There is nothing better than being in an unexpected place, where you are not meant to be.

I try and balance the nosey with normal as much as possible.
Last weekend went with my friend to her favourite spots.
I hate to pay for parking so search high, low and far for a free spot and walk/bus/train it everywhere I can before I need to rip my feet off.

We got lost in northern suburbia looking for a trademe vendor and then trying to get back into the city.
After finding a free park close to the CBD, we strolled to outlet furniture shops and encountered a random market day with stalls of cheap junk.
By bus to the next location, she bought some fabric- a roll of linen, bag of fabric and pillows stuffed into a plastic rucksack.
That was a mistake cause then we carried it everywhere, careful not to break things or hit things on our travels.
It got a bit tight at one stage in a small paper shop, you could barely swing a cat let alone linen!

We spent more time on the bus than actual stores but it was a great day with doses of caffeine.

"Next time, we have to hit all your favourite spots" she said.

Must look for some new ones on my next trip just to keep things interesting.