Artist's impression of Beattie at Manly Wharf.
Travel
Michael Beattie is a brave man. Intrepid adventurer. And he has a bold plan. He intends on leaving his beloved streets of Surry Hills to travel all the way to Manly.
“I’ve grown very fond of of Surry Hills. I’m an urbanite. The streets are part of me. Anything else frightens and confuses me. I’m doing this for all locals who haven’t been outside the suburb in years.”
It’s a form of agoraphobia, where an individual becomes accustomed to a local environment and fears anything outside it. Much of this has been seen and documented in England, evidenced by hundreds of accents specifics to a locality that at times only spans a few blocks.
As anthropologist at the Maven Institute Professor Rodney Reddy points out these behaviours are rooted in our ancestors who lived and died in tribes and rarely set foot outside of it.
Ironically, our smartphones now make it possible to live in one place and never leave, yet connect with the world. Beattie is such a man.
This local hipster intends to travel outside the suburb for the first time in 14 years.
“I hear they’re very healthy there.” Beattie intends disguising himself as a tourist.
Yes he’s nervous, but he’s packed for the adventure, geo phone included, but what can he expect?
The route will take him from Surry Hills all the way to Manly.
“I’ve heard it’s beautiful, but you never know. I’ve been in training for the last few months, I’m set.”
Michael sits in a Surry Hills café enjoying a almond milk latte as he thinks of the journey ahead of him.
“It’s funny where life takes you.” In preparation he’s been reviewing timetables.
In the past he’s gotten close: “I’ve been down to the harbour, to Circular Quay for Vivid, and I’ve seen the ferries, but I’ve never actually been on one. It’ll be the adventure of a lifetime.”
He’s not afraid of water, he’s been to Prince Alfred Park Pool, is an avid swimmer and is a regular fixture of a weekday morning, even going so far as to join the squad where he finishes amongst the best.
“It’s a fear of the unknown. The smells. The sounds. But it’s all about confronting fear.”
This brave young man knows a thing or two about fear.
Since the death of his father three years ago. “I know it’s what he would have wanted.”
My Father lived in Surry Hills almost his entire life, but he made it all the way to Coffs Harbour. Unfortunately he died of dysentery shortly after.”
He’s doing it all for the Agoraphobia Society of Surry Hills. Let’s get behind him.