Published: June 12, 2022
Another wonderful day today (June 9, 2022) here in Sydney. The spell of freezing cold breeze is now back again and with its chilling bite every now and then, there can only be a few thoughts in your mind while you’re outdoors. However, as I was there – outdoors – I only had one thought – well, actually two – number one: when will I be indoors again, and number two: where is my stranger!
Okay, so let’s address those one by one. First, when I will be indoors. By the time I came to the station, the entering train almost reached the other end of the platform, so I had very little time to fiddle around! Which means I had to get into a middle compartment. But to my absolute delight it was bathed in the sunlight, and I found my beloved backseat totally empty. So, I settled onto it without a second thought!
But shortly after I started this journey by train to CBD episode, more and more people came along. Now, one of the most interesting things about sitting on the backseat is this – you can watch the drama – live, nonstop – and even capture it slyly – like some sinister spy that loves to watch people behind their back! So, if you want to be a top-grade Russian spy for instance, a backseat on a train is something perhaps you can never get enough of! However, to imitate the feeling of being an Aussie Spy, today here is what I did: I watched the drama and captured it on my phone without anyone catching me doing it!
Half an hour has gone by and the automated voice in the train suddenly made the announce: “This train will stop at” …pause “St James” …pause…” station”!
Well, with those words spoken I had to end this drama rather prematurely. Its freezing outside so I went to Westfields straight away. And there is even more drama – it was packed, and all the retailers are now busy. People are checking out winter collection. I went to one of those retailers and here she is – my stranger! After my initial approach she was excited to come along but was in a rush, so I took a photo and decided to let her go. Unfortunately, I was unable to add her to the project. Her name is Meg – on a trip to Sydney with her mom and sister, hailed from Canberra.
It was sunny and bright outdoors, and I still had more time, so I did what I do – roam around and create some drama! But creating drama outdoors was bit of a challenge as my hands and even my feet were freezing – the numbing chill on my fingertips would surely testify this! So, by all means, I wanted to stay indoors. And to do that, I decided to go to the Myers. Subsequently, as you head up the escalator from the street level, you end up in the beauty section. Frankly, it’s a wonderful place to walk around – I love the aroma. Different types of luxury perfumes, body sprays, makeup kits – all sorts of things that would create a very exotic smell in one area while something very sensual in another. And you can also try out some of those perfumes too. So, if you’re a perfume lover, Westfields Myers at Sydney CBD is surely a place you should never miss.
But staying indoors and smelling aroma was perhaps good for my nostrils but unfortunately not as much for the sake of creating drama! So, I decided to go further up the escalator, in the clothing section. And I believe, I noticed her in that very escalator, as she was right before me!
Now, if you are standing still in one of those steps in a moving escalator, perhaps your mind would get awkwardly busy with whatever your eyes rest upon. And my eyes in this case rested upon two things – people in the café court several floors down, and someone with long hair right in front! And from the side I also noticed her Middle Eastern appearance – I recon.
So far, I have shot many Asians and Australians, and a handful of Latinos and Europeans, but to my dismay no Middle Eastern. So, when I saw her, I thought she might be Greek – somewhere in the Middle East! Well, I was never good at anything let alone geography and maps. My only map is Google map – wherever it takes, in whichever way it prefers, I just follow suit like a fish in the running water – going with the flow! So, if you find Greek being outside of Middle East, please consider my profound knowledge and wisdom in the subject of geography!
Anyways, so, someone from the Middle East – finally. Although I was on the escalator, I was quick to switch to my stranger mode. “I must make an approach” – I decided. And with that thought I started to follow her. It was not until level four, I suppose, when she finally got off those escalators as she went to check out the merchandise on the display. And there am I too – not to check out the merchandise – obviously – but to check out on my gorgeous stranger!
“Hey” – waving my hand – “Can I take a photo of yours? It’s for a project” – my “sells pitch” went on which surely caught her off guard!
With a smile – “What?”
“A photo” – with my both hands making a gesture of taking pictures.
“No” – with more smiles.
“Do you want me to show you? I think you are kinda 50-50” – I persisted.
Now even more smiles.
“Okay let me show you.”
I pulled up my blog and the Flickr community page and lo and behold she is now ready to jump in!
So, here is Catherina Ekmekjian born in Armenia, growing up in Lebanon who moved to Australia back in 2016 while her family living back in Turkey.
We walked from Myers to Hyde Park as Westfield was very busy during those hours for a photoshoot. “I have never been here” – she said as I was showing her the entrance to the park next to the St James station.
“So, what brings you to Australia” – I asked as we crossed the street to get into the park.
“Work” – she replied.
She pointed out that life in Australia is rather very busy and fairly expensive too and as such after paying all the bills, you would be better off saving that money – those little leftover earnings – here in Australia to spend it overseas for your holidays. “I am going back to Armenia in this Christmas” – she added.
As we continued our chat, it became apparent that she loves to travel and mentioned of visiting some of the places in Australia like Canberra, Newcastle, and the surroundings. But shortly after I switched the topic of our conversation.
I asked – “So, who was your crush?”
“I have no crush” – she replied giggling.
“Why? Do you hate man?”
“Yes” – giggling.
“But, you have to give your life to someone!” – I remarked
“I gave my life to work.” – she added.
“As a man I don’t trust anyone except my father” – she continued.
“WOW! Do, you trust me?” – I asked.
“No” – giggling – “May be (I trust you) a little bit”
Well, that was kinda amusing to get to know that someone – a complete stranger – trusts “a little bit” another random guy like me on the street! Surely, she has some adventurous side to her character – I thought.
But shortly after, she mentioned of something even more amusing as I once again switched the subject of our discussion to movies. She pointed out that John Christopher Depp (Johnny Depp) was her favorite movie star.
“What do you like about him” – I asked.
“Everything” … “He is so handsome.” – she added.
“If Jonny Depp comes to give you a hug, will you give him a hug?” – I remarked.
“I wish” – she went on
“How about if he comes to give you a slap?” – I asked.
“He doesn’t give me a slap…” – she added.
“If he comes to give you a slap on the face…” – I went on
“I slap him too” – she added smiling.
Apparently, besides travelling and spending time with her family as she mentioned of her father being her superhero, she loves to watch movies too. She revealed her fascination for movies in the genre such as Vikings and pagan life, historic movies, and jungle life. When I asked, “did you watch Tarzan?”
With her eyes going big she mentioned “I still watch it today”!
It was a delight to meet her. I stole her for this project from her workplace near Myers as she was about to start working in an hour or so. And hence, it was time to wrap up as I didn’t want to take any longer. I went to the station right next shortly after as we departed and got on board the train to head home – leaving behind a trail of some delicious memories – some dramas – created in a theatre not with those walls – indoors – but rather in the theatre of life – without those walls – outdoors – on the street.
