9 to 5 Traveler goes to Melbourne!

It's a far cry from Prague, I know, but itchy-feet agitation has got the better of me. In order to prevent myself climbing the walls in frustration, I've booked M and I a weekend in Melbourne for a few weeks time.

M has never been to Melbourne, so it should be a bit of adventure for him. I on the other hand have been there half a dozen times and know it reasonably well. I once took a friend there for a suprise daytrip, telling her only that I would pick her up at 5am and that she needed good walking shoes, her drivers licence, and $6 in change. There's nothing like a mysterious semi-abduction in the name of fun.

Whilst Sydney might have better boutique and brand-name shopping, Melbourne is known for its bargains. Markets and factory outlets abound, and the weekend shopping trip there is a time-honoured tradition for Adelaide women. M and I are not looking for shoes and hairdryders like most of the shopping hordes though -- I'm looking for fabrics, and he wants a sword. We participate in a medieval reenactment group (for lack of a better way of describing it), and the search for materials used in that sometimes gets a bit... extreme.

Buying swords in Melbourne is no easy feat. The entire state of Victoria has stricter weapons laws than most airports. Most members of our group, when travelling between Sydney and Adelaide, will add an extra hour ot two to their trip rather than pass through Victoria carrying so much as an eating knife. So, where is the main seller of historical fencing swords? Melbourne, of course.

All will be reviewed upon our return.