Street Talk: Mark The Masseuse.

Mark is a sports and remedial massage therapist. Based in Katoomba, he specialises in tradies and sportspeople.

"Yeah I really like it. Have lived in the mountains for years now - no matter how much I think about moving somewhere else, I just always stay."

I told Mark I know exactly how he feels. I ask him if I can pat his guide dog and he says no. Kye is a beautiful labrador and has worked for Mark for five years. He has five more years left.

"Guide dogs work for ten years, then they retire. I was just buying some fish from the fish shop and there was a lady basically sprawled on the floor next to Kye, patting him."

It must be so annoying. In the five minutes I chatted with Mark, two different people came up and asked if they could pat the dog. I told them no.

"People mean well ... but Kye has a job to do and he can get distracted. Sometimes it feels like I'm walking down the street with a 4-year old child. Don't touch this, don't lick that."

I told Mark that again, I know exactly how he feels.

The guys in front of the pub at the top of Katoomba Street watched our whole exchange and ended up talking to us too. It was pretty cool.

I didn't ask Mark about his sight, because it didn't really come up in conversation. I wished I'd asked him about the fish he bought, though. I'm always on the lookout for a new fish recipe.

Mark Tromp - Sports/Remedial Massage

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Friday Street Talk is an unfolding art project. I'm so grateful and blown away that people say yes to talking with me, trusting me with some snippets of who they are. 

Previous Street talks:

1. Noelene the Young
2. Megan the Mouse
3. Harpal the Australian
4. Darren the Artist
5. Jo the Interesting
6. John the Telstra Guy
7. Michael the Photographer
8. Peg the Lady
9. Jeff the Preacher Man
10. Andres the Cobbler
11. Honey the Prostitute