It’s funny how something as simple as being somewhere with the woman you love can make that somewhere ten times more enjoyable.
I grew up in Southern Ontario, spending much of that time about an hour’s drive away from Niagara Falls. In the 22 years I had spent in the province, I had seen The Falls maybe half a dozen times. Each time I had gone with friends, but never girlfriends. Because of this, we would often go just to watch people or visit one of the many nudie bars that lay on the outskirts of the city.
Seeing The Falls themselves was alright, but not much fun.
So when Reiko and I visited Niagara Falls with some of my family today, I was quite surprised with how much I enjoyed the trip.
Driving there from Simcoe took two hours, and after arriving we had some lunch. The weather was great, and the light breeze picked up the mists generated by The Falls and blew it across the picnic area. Even with this cold water hitting us for the first hour or so, the day was remarkably warm. From there we managed to take several hundred photos as we walked both above the ground, and below. One of the attractions allowed us to walk behind the falls, and this was enjoyable as we could get right close to the water and see some of the snow that had built up in the morning. We also treked up Clifton Hill to take in some of the sights, and even enjoyed a brief Ferris Wheel ride.
After all this, I’m still surprised that Reiko managed to stay awake. She had just come from a Tokyo to Toronto direct flight the day before, with a four hour train ride beforehand. With the excessive time differences, she had woken up several hours before anyone else. And add to that the nervousness she had felt for meeting some of my family … I’m really surprised she didn’t pass out mid-afternoon.
Maybe that’s why she chased after the squirrels ….
I’m glad that we could make the trip to Niagara Falls during the short stay in Ontario, and I’ll be sure to bring Reiko again if we get the opportunity to stay longer. There are quite a few places in that province that I had never really understood as being “special”, though I’m certain that everything will be at least a dozen times better with my Reiko.
Daijobu, I didn’t really feel nervous when I met your family. I was rather excited and happy to see them. I would have felt nervous if I were greeting Japanese family….I don’t know why.
I was quite sleepy, but I enjoyed the trips soooo much too! If I had been more awake, I would have acted like a teenage girl!
And above all, I didn’t chase squirrels to stay awake. I simply love cute animals and wanted to make friends with them(??)
Hey where are you from in Canada? I live in Calgary and if you didn’t already know am great friends with Nick from LongCountDown!
Hi, Mike. I grew up in Hamilton and Smithville, then moved to Vancouver at the age of 22. Have you been to Ontario or BC?
I grew up in Hamilton too, Stoney Creek actually. Been in Japan since april ’04.. doing the english thing and I’m sick of it
Wow … five years of the English thing? What kind of work would you prefer to do? There are quite a few companies that are starting to consider hiring multi-lingual people around here, so hopefully the same is true where you are.
I’m heading back to southern ontario in ontario to look for more meaningful work, I studied economics/finance in uni but fell into that trap of no experience, no job when I graduated. Since I’ve been here I’ve been studying online courses and getting licensed for investment dealing/advising. My wife and child will stay in Japan until I get everything sorted out. I’ll probably be heading back to Hamilton or Toronto for work and go from there
Wow, you plan on staying here for another 50 years?? I hear its pretty difficult for non-japanese to get a mortgage.. unless you want to get citizenship. Perhaps you are more patient than me but I’m really fed up with this place, the ridiculous governement
, my lack of a vote, people calling my child “kawaiiii!! haffu desu ne! Zettai haffu ne!”, ATMs that freakin close at 7pm, key money deposits for apartments, over priced beef! (I love steak) among other complaints. Not to mention my biggest pet peeve here, parents who don’t buckle their children in seat belts while driving. Not a reason to leave a country I know, but it just so mind-boggling I can’t even begin to think about what goes through these parent’s head. Completely maddening. There are good points about being here but I think I’m just completely burnt out on Japan. Cool, my rant is done. Keep up the interesting posting, looking forward to reading more.
I’d be the first to admit that there are many things that frustrate and infuriate me here in Japan, but it was the same in Canada. I’m an angry Canadian, after all
But, despite my rages against floor-staring pedestrians who block every possible accessway in an effort to not stare at someone’s ass, I plan on raising a family somewhere where the general social behaviors mostly align with what I believe in. Canada doesn’t offer this.
As for voting, not even Canada allows non-citizens to vote. It would be too much of a game changer, and Japan is no longer known for being a game changer in any field, let alone politics. I do plan on applying for citizenship one day, though, as I fully intend to get into politics myself. I might never get to run the country, but I’m sure I could manage a prefecture
Good luck finding work back in Canada. I know a few people that have gone back in the last two years who work in the same field as you. If any of their companies are looking for someone, I’ll send you an email to let you know where to look and who to talk to.
Cheers,