Water, Wishes and Winter

Having visited Victoria Falls when I was younger, its competition had to be checked out whilst I was within the vicinity.  Niagara Falls.

Well.  Lots of water.  Lots of grey.  Lots of blue ponchos.  Not quite as high or as impressive as its African counterpart.  However, obviously it is quite a sight and made a change from the slow moving, smooth canal of Ottawa. 

As to the town of Niagara Falls.  No need to be going to that place again... Looming hotels.  Tacky arcades.  Casinos.  Not quite my thing.  Also, the fact that the Falls were lit up at night was just bizarre.  Indeed, it made a rather nice sight from the luxurious double queen bed hotel room we were staying in.  Yet, it’s a natural wonder and pretty impressive on its own.  No need to try (and fail) to make it into a Las Vegas of some sort.

Nevertheless, it had to be done and the Falls themselves were a beauty (particularly once the sun came out and you could actually distinguish between the water, the mist and the sky which was appreciated...).  

Oh and while we were on our trip there, it seemed like an obvious and logical time to visit Hooters.  Interesting...  Don't think it would be my first choice of establishment to work at (naturally, its only just because their uniform of orange that would do just nothing for my complexion.  Wouldn't mind a pair of their great, big white and woolly socks though).  But anyhow, another 'experience' ticked off that list of mine.

Also, I have purchased my first set of ice skates!  None of the pretty white ones, oh no.  Hardcore ice-hockey ones.  Not sure my talent will match them though.  But the free campus ice-rink is to be visited and I’ll test whether those lessons from when I was nine have left me with any skills of some kind.  (doubtful to say the least)

And Halloween is fast approaching and don’t we know it.  It’s pretty much like another Christmas out here.  Decorations are going up.  Good old Timmy Hortons has its Halloween themed doughnuts.  Apparently, one outfit is not enough as the partying supposedly continues all weekend. (debatable with about three deadlines two days later).  However, the epic place of ‘Value Village’ (think a charity shop version of TK Maxx. Overwhelming) was visited, full-on Disney princess ball dresses tried on (childhood wish realised.  Come-at-me Snow White's Evil Stepmother kind of thing), and a child’s butterfly costume complete with hood was purchased.  Going to be the best Halloween ever...

But it has finally started.  Winter.  People said this would happen by Halloween.  Pretty much glove and scarf weather (i.e. as bad as England gets but this is only the start out here).  The thermometer is saying hello to zero.  Excellent.  Oh and I’ve decided to go camping for four days.  In the snow (no joke).  Should be interesting.  And if I happen to accidentally fall in while canoeing on this trip, it shall make the whole thing that little bit more of an adventure I’m certain... Hoping to survive with all fingers and toes intact.