International

Niagra - From US side to Candian Side

Visiting “The Niagara Falls” after 39 years

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I had last visited Niagara Falls in 1973 and whilst on a recent trip i.e May – Jul 2011 to USA and Canada, it was only natural that me and my wife visit this place. So we boarded a train from New York for Niagara ( Canadian side) and reached there after a nine & a half hour picturesque journey on an Amtrak Train ( Approx USD 60 per ticket). The Canadian Customs took about 2 hours plus to clear the complete train load. They were nice but could not resist asking about the food stuff we might be carrying i.e. “ Sir, Any Khakras; Any Theplas; How much Currency on your person”. When told that Khakras and Theplas were the staples of Gujaratis and not ours, she just smiled and dismissed us.

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Wondering and Wandering in York

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The city of York is walled and is situated on the confluence of the two rivers, Ouse and Foss. In the past, the city has been known by various names starting from the Latin name Eboracum. Anglicans later changed the name to Eoforwic in the 7th Century. Under the Danish conquest, the city became Jórvík. Once the Normans conquered it, the name was however gradually reduced to the short and handy York.

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Niagara Falls: Inspiring Awe

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For the longest time of my stay in the US, I waited for an opportunity to visit Niagara Falls. When a friend from Rochester invited me, I gladly jumped at the opportunity. Niagara Falls is accessible (with a valid visa of course) both from the American side, and from the Canadian side. I had to stick to the American side, for the lack of a Canadian visa. I had previously heard everyone tell me how the Canadian view of Niagara was way prettier than then American view. I never understood why.

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River Islands in Amazon Rain Forest

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We passed different kinds of small and large boats. Sometimes children sitting in canoes or standing outside their homes on the riverbanks waved at us. There were men busy fishing or women washing clothes or taking bath. Most people wore small clothes, more like swimming costumes than proper clothes. Generally, people in Brazil seem very open to showing skin, both men and women.

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