Maybe it is the fact that Sydney if full of complicated geography creating lots of little enclaves, but I always feel that the segregation here is stronger than in other Australian cities. In Sydney multiculturalism means lots of segregated and isolated cultures. Here there is such a feeling of societies under siege manning the defensive walls. In most other Australian cities it has more to do with mixing the cultures to create something new and understanding and accepting difference. I prefer the approach taken in other cities. Though I am not a supporter of assimilation. Societies are constantly changing and should take the good bits out of each and then add some extra new as well. I sometimes feel that good old white Australia is alive and well in this city, or at least it is making a better last stand than it has in other cities.
Having said that, I was in Cabramatta last night and saw lots of people around 20 who were having a good time, not a care in the world. It made me smile. Later we had sweets in an Arabic place. However, the crowds of people we down a few shops in a place serving standard western fare. I wonder if there will ever be a time in this place when both places are buzzing with people?