Some Things I Miss About Victoria, BC

I'm not a mammal who handles the heat well. So Toronto's recent wave of warm weather - and all the sweating, thirsting, and general whining it brought with it - has made me miss my old home. Victoria. Where the weather is neither too warm nor too cold, and people still wear Baja pullovers. And now that I've started missing Victoria's climate, my mind has turned to the other things I miss about that city. I did one of these for Montreal, and now it's Victoria's turn.

1. The Drink and Draw crowd: Leaving this band of interesting and talented young folks behind was the hardest thing about moving back east. Sure, they were inspiring artists, but they were also excellent people, welcoming an odd girl from Ontario into their brunch eating and bike riding lifestyle. Thanks to Facebook, I know they're all doing well, but that doesn't stop me from wishing I could know that from first-hand experience.
2. Hernande'z: Their bean burritos haunt my dreams. Sometimes I wake up with a tear upon my cheek, wondering why my mouth tastes of delicious, delicious beans when all my fridge holds is a frozen dinner I forgot to put in the freezer.
3. Legends Comics: I still haven't found a replacement in Toronto for my favourite comic book store. It wasn't just that their selection was awesome, but Gareth (one of the co-owners) is such a peach. He gave me a hug when I was preparing to leave the city, and I briefly considered never washing my arms again. I decided against that- it would be disgusting otherwise - but I did use him as an example of excellent customer service in a job interview.
4. Seeing Whales on the Way to Vancouver: British Columbians were greedy when it came to natural beauty, and it has made them weak. WEAAAAKK. They barely seem excited when a bus ride brings stunning vistas of lakes, forest and mountains. My walk in my current Toronto neighbourhood brings me to soul-stirring sight of a Popeye's Chicken outlet. Anyway, I once saw a whale and her calf off of a BC ferry, and my heart grew four sizes that day.
5. Cold Comfort Ice Cream: Ah, Saturday mornings. When I would mount my faithful Korean wonder bike, Bikegolgi, and zip down to the Moss Street Market. I always bought a few vegetables, but those were mostly out of guilt. The true goal of my mission was always an ice cream sandwich from Autumn. Favourites included sour cherry with rosemary, honey lavender and apricot.