Niagara Falls Sticker Shock

As Americans, we have no idea how lucky we are to have the economy we do until we visit a foreign country. I realize that Canada isn’t that foreign, but it certainly seems that way when we visit. I am neither cheap nor a spendthrift. I do like value for my money and hate to feel like I am being ripped off. When I visit resorts, I expect to pay higher-than-normal prices, but I never expected to experience such sticker shock as I did when we visited Toronto and Niagara Falls.

I realize that the dollar is doing pretty well now and that we should all be happy with our economy. I have lived long enough to remember Cokes for a nickel and real penny candy. Ok, I am not ready for the home yet, but I do bore people with ‘remember when’ stories now and then. But I digress. Before leaving home, I booked our tour of Niagara Falls. It was quite expensive, but I expected that for the level of service the tour provided. The tour guide picked us up at the hotel and returned us to our hotel after the tour. You really can’t beat that for service. The tour also provided us with a nice buffet lunch at no extra cost. No problems at all with the tour or the price. Well, maybe one problem, but that’s another story. I don’t think our guide liked Americans, but who does.

Now to the story and my ultimate case of sticker shock. When we arrived at the Toronto airport, we found out that the airport shuttle we had been promised only went to the airport hotel a mile away. No big deal, we’ll take a taxi. Fifty dollars Canadian later, we thought boy, this place may be expensive. We liked the taxi driver. He introduced us to the convenience store right across from our hotel where I could buy Diet Coke at what I thought was an obscene price. Later I found out “what a deal.” The next day we headed out to Niagara Falls. The Falls were incredible, almost too beautiful to be believed. I wouldn’t trade the experience of seeing the falls for any amount of money. Well, maybe if the price was right. Ok, I am in love with the scenery, the buffet was good, no free Diet Coke, but the water was fine, and a beautiful, pristine day. I am happy but getting thirsty. I want, no I NEED, Diet Coke. We go to a well-known fast food restaurant and find that we can buy a large Diet Coke for four dollars. We decided to cross the street and try again. This chain restaurant was a little cheaper but not much. Also, no refills. At least I had my fix. I didn’t drink again until we got back to the hotel.

Now the hotel was another story because my husband was going to a conference at the aforementioned airport hotel so we had another fifty dollar taxi ride to our second hotel. Another nice hotel with a convenience store nearby. I visited it the next day and found a canned Diet Coke for a dollar. SCORE. I bought ten dollars worth. I had finally found a bargain in Canada. I felt like I was the best bargain hunter around. One more word of advice. Most restaurants don’t give free soda re-fills. You must pay per glass. My husband found out the hard way. Go to Canada but be prepared for some sticker shock.

Copyright 2006 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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