Niagara Falls
Last weekend was very exciting and unexpected! My Egyptian friend Chahinda told me that we should do tourism together before she has to leave in December. I thought that it was a great idea so I said yes. First destination: Niagara Falls. I rented a car and I picked up Chahinda, her daughter and her mom down in Kitchener around 9:30am. The drive down to Niagara Falls was really pleasant. We went through the Green Belt of Canada. This means that there were many barns and farms all around us for most of the trip. This part of Canada is a bit flat, but it is full with trees. Fall is coming soon, and the leaves are starting to turn. It is an incredible sight. Still, last weekend was great because it was sunny all day long and a bit warm but without getting terribly hot. So we drove and in two hours we got to our destination. Although we took the scenic route and we went driving alongside the river bank. It was spectacular. We stopped in every spot we thought might have something interesting. It was soo nice. There is a butterfly conservation area that I really want to see in the Spring. And there are botanical gardens everywhere. So we made it into the downtown area of Niagara Falls, but it was deserted. So we moved towards the Falls. When we got there the only thing we could see were all the tourists that were staring at the Falls. The place was packed. I am glad that we were able to make it there around noon, because a little bit later and there would have been no parking spots for me. We still had to pay $20 to park, but it was worth it. Then we started making our way to the Falls. My first impression was that they seemed smaller than I expected. I guess after so many years hearing about them, and watching them on tv, you kind of expect them to be a lot bigger. Still, they were impressive in their own right regardless of this. The horseshoe waterfall was incredible. We got soaked every time we went through that area. And because it was sunny there were rainbows everywhere...even double rainbows! I love rainbows! The physical manifestation of light! How wonderful is that? I took so many pictures. We walked along the sightseeing area and found the best places to take pictures. I think I did not stop for a while. Of course, the pics in which I appears were taken by Chahida, And I took hers! We had so much fun. Her mom is this very nice lady who already invited me to stay in her house if I ever go to Cairo. Nur, her daughter, decided that even though she could not understand me I was cool, so we started playing games like step on the shadow, tickling, cat and dog...it was great! We sat down under a tree in front of the American Falls to eat lunch. As a matter of fact, because my friends were Muslim they brought their own food (halal), and they brought food for me too: chicken sandwiches. It was great! Chahinda tried her best to talk in English all day long...but next time she told me that I have to speak in French in turn. So I am trying to get up to date with my French for our trip to Toronto in two or three weeks. We are still not sure when are we going to go...but it will be soon. Still, we had so much fun getting wet by the Falls...and me loosing all my pictures. Well, yes! I did! I tried to protect my camera from the water and I put it inside my bag...and it was still on. So camera shifted, buttons were pushed, and pictures were lost. I only got to save the last 15 pictures that I did. So sad! Now I have to go back and take them again. Still, next time it will be winter and I am dying to see everything white with snow. So it is ok. It just gives me an excuse to go back. Still, it was a pleasant day. I had a great time with my new friends. The funny thing is that everyday I fall in love with Canada a little bit more.