Exploring Victoria

Sometimes we lose our sense of relation towards nature and how beautiful it can be to do the simplest things in life, like a hike in the woods or simply discovering a new place that you've never been to before. I was in the midst of a time of depression and anxiety since I had just gotten through a tough time in life, I thought to myself that this was exactly the kind of escape I could use. To go somewhere completely estranged to. I chose to go to one of the most beautiful places in North America which was Victoria, the capital of British Columbia.

It was the perfect opportunity. It was a program offered by our government called Explore that let college students chose to go to select universities in any of the ten provinces in Canada to learn French. I did not know exactly what to expect. The moment I saw the sight of the island from the plane, I knew It was going to be a beautiful place.

When I landed, the first thing I saw were Totem poles, which was already a sign of how culture-influenced BC was. Riding my first bus to our assigned university, the sights I saw were almost indescribable. I've never seen anything like this place. The landscapes were exquisite. I started getting chills of excitement. From the most beautiful garden I have ever seen, to their hot springs, and old castles, Victoria stole my heart for a little while. I felt as if the island was alive itself. It was full of life through its resources, landmarks, and its people. One of the landmarks that stood out the most was Sooke Potholes.

The Sooke Potholes were a couple of hours away from the University of Victoria. The moment I got off the bus that brought us there, I was completely mesmerized. On an elevated viewpoint, I saw an ethereal view of the Sooke River, curving alongside tiny hills, and mountains. It looked like a postcard. It was breathtaking. If bliss was to be felt, the moment came to me at this very moment. I forgot about all of my problems and my depression flew away from me at an instant. The best part was that we had a chance to jump into the river, on an elevated hill. I initially feared jumping in the water, until one of my friends just grabbed my hand and dared me not to. The second I jumped into the river I felt alive. My fear of heights went away at an instant moment. I suddenly remembered what adrenaline felt like, and what living really meant. It was a life changing experience. Victoria not only showed me beauty, but it also reminded me how to live.