Day 16: Niagara Falls into the long arm of the law

I left Toronto bright and shiny and headed towards Niagara Falls. There are two sets of falls: the Canadian Falls, shaped like a horseshoe; and the American Falls in a straight line. The Canadian side offers the best viewing point as you can see both falls clearly. What surprised me the most was how close you can get to the Canadian Falls. The picture above was taken without a zoom. If I had wanted to I could have jumped into a barrel and been submerged in touristy wetness in seconds. It certainly is beautiful to boot. As the USA was only a couple hundred feet away I picked up a cell signal, email, and Twitter from Canada. I called loved ones and marveled in being in two places at once. Having drunk in the beauty, I got back in my car and drove towards Peace Bridge which connects Canada and Buffalo, NY.

Peaceful it was not. Something about my answers to the border guards questions pissed him off. His tone and demeanor changed mid sentence instantly informing me that I was to be further questioned and that my car was going to be searched. I'm still not sure what I said or did, but man he turned into a real jerk. What a difference between Canadian and American Border Guards. Canada was all "Eh", and America was all "Fuck Yeah!, unless we don't like you, in which case, Fuck You!" The intensity of the questioning room was well, intense. There are dozens of well armed, shaved headed, testosterone fueled officers who love to stare you down and intimidate you. One poor kid also pulled over in the room with me asked to go to the bathroom and was denied several times. When they weren't looking, he went anyway and that really got their goat. I was asked a slew of questions, asked for my keys and then told to wait. He came back with my car key, stamped a piece of paper and instructed me to hand it to the officer outside. That officer turned out to be the guy who originally got pissed off at me. He had this dejected/accusatory/shocked look on his face and pointed towards my car. When I got to it I found the passenger door ajar and the contents riffled through. Gee, welcome home. I went on this trip looking for America and found the ugly side right here at its edge. The filling is great, it's just the crust that sucks. The arrogance mixed with machismo in dealing with perceived threats is an ugly stain on this country. There is no reason why I couldn't have been treated with an ounce of respect while still getting the information they needed and preventing Global Thermonuclear War. I would hope that in their job they would see the folly in injecting personal feelings and emotions, but I guess that's what happens when you give guys guns and tell them its their job to protect America at all costs.

written by

JRadhirsch on September 16, 2008 from Niagara Falls, Canada

from the travel blog: The Great American Road Trip

Send a Compliment

I'm sorry you had to experience that. You are not the first person I've known to be so warmly greeted by the Canadian Border Guards, only to be harassed by those with whom you share a country upon return. Sigh.

However, Niagara Falls is captivating! What a shot!

written by Justine Smith on September 17, 2008

I don't know why they act that way.

My parents (in their mid/ late/ 60s) were harassed at that same crossing by a bitter son-of-a-*****.

The moral is - like your job...

written by Marc on September 17, 2008

I have come into the good old USA many times at various borders by plane, bus, car and walking and its really quite shocking the greeting people get when they come to our country. Definitely not something to be proud of at all. Now you know - bow your head in shame. Bummer.

written by G-Off on September 17, 2008

Ah yes, haven't almost all of us come back to the states from other nations only to be greeted as if we are "the ultimate threat to American safety"? It's truly embarassing.

This is why every where I go in the world I pretend to be a Canadian on holiday -- except of course when I enter and exit countries as an actual US citizen with a passport and hang my head in shame.

Boo hiss Mr. President...look how you have disgraced our nation in the eyes of the global community. Truly sad.

written by the Zote on September 18, 2008

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