Lifestyle: May 17: Victoria

Self-tutoring about local travel: the tutor mentions a day trip to Victoria.

Yesterday, we went to Victoria to see a show. It was a bit cloudy and rainy on the way down, but once we arrived, it was mostly clear there, which seems often the case.

We had lunch at Mayfair Mall, which is always fun to visit. The food court was pretty full, but still had room.

At around 2:10pm my son suggested we go to the venue to secure parking. It was a smart idea: by the time we arrived, around 2:30pm, the lot at the venue itself was full. We were given a couple of choices, one a few blocks closer to downtown, the other, further. We headed for the one a few blocks further from downtown.

Refreshingly in Victoria, the bustle can really dissipate in just a few blocks; so it was in this case. We reached the parking lot and found numerous spaces to choose from. After we had paid (those payment stations can be tricky), we sauntered back to the venue, only about two blocks away. By then, it was about 2:45pm.

We arrived at the venue and lined up to go in. It seemed they searched people’s bags, including my wife’s purse, for water bottles and cigarettes. A rural citizen might not be used to such searches. However, they were very polite.

Along its halls, the venue seemed crowded. Yet, when we took our seats at about 2:55pm, we could see it really wasn’t.

The show itself was very good – perhaps 9 or 10 out of 10, if you’re into that sort of thing.

We left the venue in the bright spring sunshine that is so characteristically Victorian, and headed for home.

On a sunny day, I don’t know a place that looks better than Victoria. I don’t get down there often, but always feel my stay was too short when I leave.