For Italians, Niagara Falls is not just a touristic area. It’s the ultimate couple’s getaway. 
I have photos of myself posing at the Niagara Falls back from when I was living in Kansas and oddly enough, I do not remember a thing. I believe I was about six or seven, and despite the fact that my mom said I was quite interested in the waters at the time, I don’t remember. But then I never really thought I really needed to go again, since I knew I had already been there. And, like many unpredictable things in life, I was wrong. It was fascinating nonetheless, especially because I was with someone who had been dreaming about visiting the falls all his life. Like any typical Italian, it turned out.
어릴때 나이아가라를 다녀왔지만 기억에는 아무것도 없다는 현실. 사진속에서만 확인할 수 있는 상황이라 이번에는 꼭 기억에 남는 나이아가라를 다녀오리라 다짐. 사실 “폭포가 폭포지”했지만 캐나다쪽에서 정말 가까운 거리에서 쏟아지는 물줄기를 보고 우리 모두 약간 충격을 받았다는 사실.
According to many wedding-related websites and blogs, Italy is one of the most popular destinations for honeymoons. But then, where do the Italians go for their honeymoons? For Italians, according to G, Niagara Falls and New York were and still are the most popular honeymoon destinations. The Hawaii or Bora Bora for Italians, if you will. I wasn’t so surprised to find so many Italians because I was already informed of such trivia, but there are in fact a lot of Italians walking along the falls.
미국에 살아보지 않은 G는 특히 가고 싶은 곳들이 몇 곳 있었는데 그 중 하나가 나이아가라 폭포. 알고보니 나이아가라는 수많은 이탈리아인들이 가고 싶어하는 신혼여행지 중 하나였다. 왜?라는 질문이 바로 나오긴 하지만 생각해보면 아름다운 해변이나 섬, 문화적인 도시들로 유명한 이탈리아에 사는 이탈리아인들이 신혼여행지로 택할 곳이 마땅치 않을 수 있다는 것. G의 누나도 그랬고 이번에 결혼한, 결혼하는 친구들도 미국을 꼭 거쳤다. 그 중 뉴욕과 나이아가라는 꼭 포함되었다고. 그래서 G는 특히나 더 감격스러워했다. 그리고 조금만 신경써서 걸어다니다보면 나이아가라 근처에 걸어다니는 굉장히 많은 수의 이탈리아인들을 발견할 수 있다.
It was my first time to the Canadian side, and although many blogs and people generally say this side is better, I found that it’s a matter of the view and how close you can actually get to the falls. From the Canadian side, you can get the panorama, overview of the falls, while the U.S.’s side offers a more up close and personal one. You can walk down right next to the falls, of course you’ll get wet, but actually feel the sheer power of the falls. The easiest way to feel the size, sounds and power of the falls from the Canadian side is to take the cruise, which was about CAD $20. There are a number of interesting attractions and tours regarding the falls, including a quite expensive helicopter tour and a walk behind the falls, but we settled with the simple, straight to the point cruise.
미국쪽은 제일 가까운 곳에서 폭포를 경험할 수 있다는 장점이 있는 반면, 폭포의 파노라마를 제대로 즐길 수 없다는 단점이 있다. 그리고 반대로 캐나다쪽은 폭포의 전체적인 광경을 볼 수 있는 반면 가까이 갈 수 있는 방법은 크루즈를 따로 타거나 폭포 뒤로 가는 투어를 통해서다.
It’s funny how everyone who gets off the cruise is completely dry and I found this strange since it was obvious that they would be wet after, but I understood what had happened. You get wet, yes, but then as you come back, the wind from the falls is just so strong, you get dried up in seconds. We also kept our bright red raincoats because we didn’t have umbrellas and it was scheduled to rain the next day. Best idea ever.
크루즈를 기다리면서 이상하게 생각했던 것은 배가 분명히 폭포 밑에까지 갔다가 오는데 어떻게 다 말라있을까 하는것. 타고보니 돌아오는 길에 폭포로 인해 생기는 바람이 너무 세서 머리까지 다 젖어있다가 순식간에 마르게 되는 마법이. 다음날 비가 온다는 소식이 있었는데 우산이 없어서 크루즈 탈때 입었던 우비를 챙겼는데 너무 편해서 비싼 우비를 하나 장만하고 싶었을 정도. 다음날 토론토에서 한국인 여성 세명이 저걸 입고 길거리를 돌아다녔다는 후문.
- Niagara Cruises
Check the weather. If it rains, it will be pretty hard to see everything, so check the weather.- We didn’t make it, but if you have time, stop by the many wineries around the area. One place we really wanted to go but missed was Inniskillin Wines. It was recommended by a lot of friends.
All photos by rachelsanghee. June, 2015.