Queen Victoria Market

Saturday June 13, 2009

I was SO excited for today. We went to the Queen Victoria Market in downtown Melbourne. The place was HUGE! For parking it cost $10 which is really expensive. We walked around looking at all the stalls. There were lots of clothing shops. I was mostly interested in the souvenir stands. What was nice about shopping for souvenirs at the market is that you could ask for them to lower the price if you bought more than one of something. Also, items were about $5 cheaper at the market than if they were to be bought at the mall.

We looked around and I priced things for about 2.5 hours. It was then time for morning tea so we stopped at a coffee shop and had lattes and American donuts. These American donuts were jam filled and covered with sugar. For any of you who have been to Old Peking and had the sugar rolls, you will know what the American donuts were like. It was just like those Asian rolls, but with jelly in them. They were super yummy! After our snack and coffee we traveled over to the meat and cheese and fresh fruit and veggie part of the market. It was amazing what I saw. So many things and at such good prices. One thing that caught my attention and that Rosemary pointed out was the hand made fresh butter that you could buy in blocks or chunks.

We then split up. I went to do my souvenir shopping and Rosemary and Jeff went to finish the fresh fruit and veggie shopping. At 12:00PM we met up and left the market. There were so many nice things to purchase at the market. So many things to see. It was a good trip.

We stopped at a Hungry Jack’s for lunch. This fast food place is just like Burger King, but with a different name. I had a Whopper Jr. with fries and a coke. On the way home we went to a car wash and it cost $15 for the automatic. That was fun.

Back at home, I sorted out my souvenirs and showed them off to Rosemary and Jeff. I looked for some Aussie clothing, but their clothing is not that different from the way that American’s dress. So instead I bought a hat with corks on them. That is probably the only authentic Aussie article of clothing that is different from America. This hat is suppose to keep the flies away from you.

It was time for afternoon tea, so I had a coffee and some Vanilla Slice. Another name for this dessert is a Snot Block. The top and bottom crust is like a pie crust and the filling on the inside is a really thick custard. Its not a very sweet dessert, but Jeff really likes it and thought that I should try some.

I am preaching next Sunday and am going on several day trips next week, so I need to get my sermon done. I am preaching on when Jesus calmed the sea. So this afternoon I worked on an outline for my sermon so that when I got into work on Monday I could just do a little bit more research and include some illustrations and then start writing while I have access to the internet. That took about 2 hours this afternoon and then I worked on my PowerPoint for my presentation when I get home from Australia. I even know what I am going to make to serve as a Australian snack to those who come! I’m not telling what it is. You will have to come and find out!

Jeff had to leave for a meeting tonight, so it has just been Rosemary and I. We had Quiche and a salad for dinner. She is a good cook. For dessert I had a lemon flavored canoli. I know the US has canoli but I wanted to try some Australian kind. It was good. I personally liked it better than the vanilla slice.

After dinner I watched some TV and then read my book. Its is strange and weird, but exciting and suspenseful. Tomorrow is church and I am wondering if I will spend the day at church. I can’t believe how fast my trip is going. When you are busy an around people who want to be with you, your trip is so much more fun!