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Text and photography by Kourtney Roy
Niagara FallsCountry: CanadaArea: 209.7 km2Time zone: GMT -4
Niagara Falls is visited by around 14 million people every year. With a population of just under 100,000, the town of Niagara Falls relies heavily on tourism to support its economy. The town boasts many hi-rise hotels and observation towers from which visitors can see the Falls.
It was my first time back to Niagara Falls since I was little. My only memories were of the flimsy clear rain ponchos and walking an endless flight of stairs that led into a roaring, dripping abyss.
I made some different memories 37 years later.I checked into my first hotel. It was cheap, double-storeyed and completely vacant. Each room boasted a colourful jacuzzi and a fake fireplace with real (fake) fire. The city had been deserted by its tourists. Only the resolute locals remained.The dirt-encrusted underbelly of this empty crystal city cast a sordid spell on me.
I bathed in two heart-shaped jacuzzis. I got laid in one heart-shaped jacuzzi.I ate breakfast in a flying saucer.I did shots at a Texan saloon.I ate deep-fried dill pickles and danced to slow country at the Maple Leaf Tavern, the most charming dive bar I’ve ever had the pleasure to drink at.I got hit on at the Evel Knievel Daredevil Museum.I took a solitary piss as I watched the sunrise over the famous waterfalls on the viewing platform at 7am. .