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Currently sitting on a bus on the bridge that spans the Niagara river and connects Canada with USA. Last night it took one and half hours to get through the border crossing and this morning it seems like it will be the same time so it is a good time to write a blog!.
The view is quite stunning. To my right I see the magnificent panorama of the Niagara Falls, the section known as Horseshoe Falls. This massive waterfall structure is impressive as the volume of water falling every second is almost beyond belief. Both Canada and USA use the water for hydro electrics. Apparently the volume of water falling over the Horseshoe Falls is reduced by 40% during the evening, because it is being used to generate power for both sides of the border.
The Canadian side of the Falls is highly developed with high rise hotels, casinos, theme and game venues, places to eat, structured gardens and shops. It is a city built almost on the crecipice of an ancient fault structure that has given birth to one of the world's greatest wonders. The juxtaposition of a natural phenomenon like the Falls with a human made city is a bit overwhelming. Commercialization on both sides of the border create a sense of detachment from the beauty of the Falls. Its as if everything is competing for one's attention, from the Marriot hotel that dominates the skyline to the roar of the water cascading over rocks.
Last night we finally got to our hotel, Super 8, at about 10pm in Canada. A bit too late for me to eat, so we opted out of the group meal at the Italian restaurant, and instead headed straight to the main attraction....the Falls lit up at night! At night the Falls resembles the colurs of a rainbow as sections of the cascading water is lit be various colours - both the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. I think I prefer their natural wonder rather than artificial light, even though it was pretty. But again, the neon lights of casinos, shops and amusement parks appeared to move into this beautiful span of creative beauty. Some things are just not meant to be tamed, prettied up and meant to blend in with the commercial surrounds, and yet, this is why we were all here....to see Niagara Falls and be captivated by her glory, but for me, I didn't need to see the bright flashing city lights immersed within her streaming waters.
Walking back to our hotel we stopped off at a candy store which had an amazing array of toffees, fudges, lollies and chocolates. For dinner I had one chocolate coated strawberry -delicious!
- comments
Jessica That sounds like my kind of dinner!!