LoJo

In a not-so-original imitation of New York's SoHo (South Houston St), Lower Johnson Street is home to trendy but low-rent shops catering to hip fashion, comic book readers, tattoo seekers and hash pipe replacement therapy.

At the end of the street is Victoria's landmark Blue Bridge, a counterweighted behemoth that lifts occasionally for bigger marine traffic. Canadian superstore LuluLemon is behind me, as is MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) and other clothing stores. Alas, Old Towne Strings, purveyor of fine stringed musical instruments, is gone now.