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Let's face it, Boxing Day has turned into a week-long holiday phenomenon. I had never ventured out of the house on the day after Christmas, but this year I spent part of Boxing Week visiting a dear friend in Victoria.
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I stocked up on my favorite natural body products at
Nezza Naturals. Those folks do amazing things with aromatherapy and natural ingredients such as beeswax.
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I was shocked to learn that a local call in a public booth now costs fifty cents! Jeepers. Luckily I was able to use this charming phone booth at Nootka court to let my friends know I had arrived. The sad news was that my favorite restaurant Daidoco was closed over the holidays. In fact many small businesses were shut up tight as a drum.
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Even though the weather was gloomy and mild, I was cheered by the blooms and berries on these Oregon grape bushes.
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My friend was on a mission to consume maccha (I'm more used to spelling it "matcha"), so we headed to a new shop called "
Spiced Water" which boasts excellent tea and coffee. I had a maccha chai. It comes slightly sweetened with cinnamon and black pepper. Delicious! I wanted cardamon too.
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These guys are lovely and they know their stuff. It's interesting to meet folks who are dedicated to both coffee and tea.
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Spiced Water is across from the Sticky Wicket in a stand-alone shack with a few stools. It is the "yang" to its sister tea shop in Nootka Court called "
Jagasilk" which is more "yin" in its location and focus on pottery and tea. Jagasilk is tucked in right next to Daidoco Deli.
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Local seasonal eating is easy in a city that takes pride in its produce. I had awesome chocolate porter stout ribs on mashed potatoes with cheese curds and brussel sprouts at the Superior, seafood chowder with a very good smoked tuna salad at Spinnakers, and home made vanilla doughnuts (they're organic!) at Spiced Water.
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Discerning penguins agree, Victoria is a good place to spend Boxing Week. What are your Boxing Week traditions?