Parramatta – My most favorite place in NSW, Australia  

Talk of Barramatugal the aboriginal community of Australia and you reach to Parramatta, also known Rose Hill originally, the western district of Sydney. For me Parramatta is not only a suburb of Sydney but also a full city in itself.

I have lived here for few years in Parramatta which has few firsts attached with its name like being one of the oldest colonies of Europeans as well as planed agricultural products coming from this area. By the way I know the place inside out and love everything about it as I had seen every part of it.

Parramatta is also supposed to be the second biggest central biggest business district of Sydney with many big companies and government offices having their branches here, and not to forget that most of the workforce of Sydney lives in Parramatta and contribute to growth of Sydney. However, for me it’s more than Australia because it looks more India to me for its population from South East Asia.

Parramatta, with its multicultural lifestyle places for different activities along the riverbank including eating-places makes it one of the best areas for tourists’ activities in Sydney as well. Most people think that Sydney’s historic Rocks quarter has most places to visit but the fact is Parramatta is better known for its heritage buildings and places of tourists’ interest and for activities of the community, few of them are listed below-

1- Some of the best Parks in the world are here in Parramatta

2- Eating spots along the church street is a unique experience

3- A Ferry trip under the Harbour Bridge up the river Parramatta is must for every visitor

4- Visitors may find riverside theaters of Parramatta big attraction waiting for them.

Let me give you my latest experience of Paddy market, Flemington I visited with my wife yesterday. We boarded a train from heart of Parramatta the Harris Park station to see the shoppers’ paradise known as Paddy market where most people visit on Saturdays for their weekly supply of vegetables and fruits.

However, your shopping is not limited to vegan items there but you can buy anything that need for your household use and that too at very reasonable price. You can buy any household item from utensil to electrical and shoes to clothes in this market on almost throwaway prices. Incidentally, most of the shopkeepers in paddy market belong to Lebanon.

The markets in Parramatta reminded me of Asian markets particularly the markets in India scattered on roadsides catering to low end needs. You need to be good at bargains to make a good deal out of those experienced traders most of them belonging to Arabian community.

They agree to your offer easily most times though. And who knows you still did not make a good deal and still paid way too much than actual cost of that item you though you bought cheap. However, it is fine as long as both parties found it a good business bargain in mutual interest.

To be continued- I have lot more to say about this part of the world…

Image source https://pixabay.com/en/sydney-opera-house-australia-363244/