In love with Niagara Falls

The world is full of wonders. Some are man-made and some are nature’s gift to mankind. While former reflect ingenious and creative effort of man like in Great Pyramids and Taj Mahal, the latter takes you straight into the lap of Mother Nature. Niagara Falls is one such natural wonder. Here water falls from 20 story building height and that too in colossal volume - 600,000 litres in one second – that number doesn’t mean anything unless we correlate it with  facts of life. Bangalore city needs 250 million gallons of water every day. And that falls in Niagara in mere 25 minutes.  What entire Bangalore city needs in one year, that amount of water flows down in just 7 days in Niagara. That’s it. And it is Mother Nature’s handicraft.

Comfort Inn, the hotel where we checked in Niagara Falls, lived up to its name. It was around 6 ‘O’ clock, on that pleasant summer evening of August, we reached the hotel. In northern hemisphere, the summer days are very long and with sun shining, the evening was still young. A very pleasant weather, in contrast to muggy days of Philadelphia, and it took 7 hours by car to reach this pleasant spot. In fact, the nip in the air made us to huddle on to our wind cheaters. And we have decided to explore Niagara that very moment.

Walking thru state park of Niagara abutting our hotel, we saw, at a distance gigantic falls throwing mist into the air while roaring down. A mild evening drizzle added colours by splashing rainbow on the eastern sky. So wonderful. First time, I felt the nature, I heard the nature and I saw in its pristine form.

Almost at the neck of the falls, the Niagara River gets divided into three streams - one major and two small forming islands. So, there are 3 falls and collectively, are called Niagara Falls. The two are on American side and hence American falls. The major one is in between, dividing US and Canada. And that is 330 meters long and over period of time falling water eroded the middle of the cliff making it now look like horse shoe, hence Horseshoe Falls. The American falls are relatively very small. As the falling water gets lathered up, frothy and looks like a white veil of a Bride, hence one of them is called Bridal Veil Falls. Into this island we walked from State park. We have gone down to “cave of the wind”, the foot of Bridal Veil Falls. Though you wear rain coat, you will be soaked in the mist: spilling and spattering of falling water surely thrills you.

Next day, donning complimentary blue rain coats, we boarded “Maid of the Mist”, the boat that took us straight to basin of the Horseshoe Falls. Standing on the top deck facing the fall is memorable. The mist drenches one from head to toe. That moment one loses to nature willingly and completely: momentarily, you forget where you are.

On our way back, we bought souvenirs – a T- shirt and a tote bag. I am sure the memories of Niagara Falls lasts much longer than these man made items.

Bridal Veil Falls

In the Niagara State Park

On Maid of the Mist

Bridal Veil Fall from Maid of the Mist.

Clicking while Flying

Travel was part of my profession and took me to various destinations. I must have clocked half a million flying miles during my career spanning over 3 decades. Though most of it is within India, spending time within flight, an hour or two is always challenging.

While some doze off, most dig their heads into newspapers or in-flight magazines. I find shooting or clicking scenes below thru the window is another in-flight hobby very interesting and sharpens one’s creativity. You need not be pro, nor, you need pro gadgets. A simple point and shoot cameras is sufficient. But you need to prepare for and that starts before your enter the flight. Make sure you ask for window seat while checking in, preferably two or three rows behind the wing. It is easier if you web check in and that is best now a days. And, make sure you pick up some tissues or napkin from airport lounge - coffee shop or restrooms are best sources.

When once you enter the plane and settle, buckled-in in window seat, pull out paper napkin and clean the window glass. There will always be layer of dust and that need to be wiped out clean to get good photos. Don’t worry what your neighbor thinks. Just smile way if someone is watching you. Carry the camera in hand and never in the bag that is shoved in overhead chest to take it out later. You may miss some opportunities and remember that you are in window seat and retrieving the bag is cumbersome.

No sooner the departure is announced make sure your camera settings are in landscape, flash switched off mode. Keep it that way, ready. Good scenes of buildings or roads are best captured during the take-off and landing. And time available is very limited and that makes you to be on the edge of the seat. Since there is a double glass protection for the window of the plane, never focus your camera straight across the glass as reflected light spoil the snap. It should be at an angle while clicking.

Now, click as many snaps as possible while flight is taking off.  Experience is the best teacher and prepares you well for the next flight. Keep part of the wing in the frame always to bring credibility to the snaps. Sometimes when it is flying over mountain range, you get good shots. While landing, you can catch hustle-bustle of the city life besides buildings.

When you are flying shorter distances in small aircraft, you can catch wheels folding in and out. And bringing them in the frame will make very interesting snaps.

Wishing you a safe and clickable flight.

Some of my photos are here.

I never expected, my ten week stay in US would provide peekaboo view of American psyche and a grand revelation about us.

Having superannuated from service I have both time and some extra money at my disposal and that led me to visit my son living in Philadelphia, US. This is my maiden, rather Columbus visit to United States of America. After getting over jet lag, I started exploring neighbourhood and to my disappointment, I could gather by and large, American cities lack public transport - King of Prussia, a small town in north-western part of Philadelphia where my son lives is no exception. However, during my morning and evening walks I noticed a bus stop nearby, very clean but small. I hardly found anyone waiting for the bus. Upon browsing the net, I noticed that two busses ply, number 125 and 99 from that locality.  And Bus 125 goes to centre city hall which is downtown of Philadelphia and runs once in an hour.

This really excited me and I had decided to explore Philadelphia all alone when my son was off to work. Next day, I could catch bus no 125 and went to Downtown, typical like a tourist with a camera in hand and back pack. Since I have no agenda or plan, I was roaming around and enjoyed the walk in a strange land. While I was waiting near bus stop on my way back, one woman appearing very American asked me the way to Independence  hall - a tourist spot.  Though following quaint American accent was bit difficult, I could answer that I am as new to Philly as her. She smiled and walked off. Am I not looking like an outsider?

The only way I could spend my time between such infrequent adventures was by long morning and evening walks. I never found any one walking as I am all alone on the road. While walking I read all sign boards, road names and hotel names and soon the neighbourhood is very familiar to me. One day during such walk, a man stopped the car and asked me. ”Where is PSI building”. I know this place and guided him that he has to turn back and take a left turn and  can find it on left side, perhaps 2nd building in the row. Then, I asked him “Is my English clear to you”?

“Perfect, Thanks” and he was off.

And a similar enquiry on the other day by a lady for 1st Avenue. I could guide her perfectly.

These incidents of repeated “enquiring” with me, an apparently looking foreigner puzzled me.

If I get a doubt where is Ranganathan street in T. Nagar, Chennai – Do I enquire with a foreigner walking down the road or I prefer a local. The answer is obvious. I presume the foreigner is ignorant of topography of locality.

Why these Americans never thought that way?

One day, I read in community newspaper about Farmers’ Market being organised every Saturday in county office ground. The county website provided all details elaborately. I felt at home with the name Farmers’ market -Raitu bazar, life everywhere appears same and visited next Saturday by walk though it was 4 miles away. Around 10 to 12 stalls have been erected and farmers are selling their produce - fresh vegetables, pickles and raw milk and the place is maintained very clean and tidy. My son gave me his latest smart phone, so that I can call back in case I need help. I was trying to call back just to say I am safe, but I started struggling to operate the new gadget.

“I have similar one, I am no good using it too” I heard a woman’s voice over my shoulders.

An American woman sharing my plight broke ice with me. She is definitely on the wrong side of fifties.

“That’s the problem with age” I said showing my grey hair.

She laughed and walked away saying “Good luck with your phone”.

Again I started wondering on my way back home. Am I looking like a typical local or am I accepted here?

Any Indian visitor to US like me will be highly impressed with their disciplined public life and road sense while driving. They willingly “yield” to others “Priority” and that ensures road safety or make driving a pleasure. Parking is always clean, between the lines and never any other way. Special and convenient Parking lots are reserved for “Physically Challenged” Violation attracts fine and law is strict. Generally I found those parking lots are vacant save for once. I saw a man driving down the car into that reserved slot. From distance I watched the man getting down the car slowly with a prop - one of his legs was afflicted. Astonished, I asked my son how a man can drive with an afflicted leg - how does he operate break or gas pedal. My son went on saying the cars for them are fitted with hand controls. Wonderful, he is independent even then.

I was recapitulating all these experiences while flying back to India, in comfortable Air India flight which ran both ways punctual to the dot. Upon revaluation, it is clear these people living in this Promised Land have very open mind about others and about anything…that made them to enquire about and talk to me – a reflection of pluralistic thought. Their disciplined public life in an efficient system, irrespective of their physical condition, made them work hard. When choice is given, many of them, perhaps work harder. I read in a management magazine that Americans are most hard working people in the world. No wonder success in every sphere beckons them.

It is pluralism and discipline enshrined in the mind and adherence to law are what we need to progress- better roads, infrastructure can come later.

May be I am jumping to conclusions with very limited sampling, but I remember my mom saying that she checks only one grain for rice being cooked or not. Meanwhile, my flight landed with a thud in Mumbai airport – a throw back into different reality.