My Reflection on Canada

As I crossed the border at Port Huron, Michigan I, without knowing so, had stepped into a new world. Sure the landscape didn't change much at first, and sure the country still seemed vaguely familiar, but as I was to later find out, it is much different than the country I have been born and raised in.

The friendliness of the people in general is quite a step above those of the United States. It almost gives you that kind of small town feel; it makes you feel more secure that's for sure. Even in a city such as Toronto, a city with over 2 million people in it, everyone we encountered was very friendly. I'm sure we stood out, with the lack of a French-Canadian accent, and our American accent, but that didn't matter to these people. At one neighborhood restaurant we got just as much help as the school-girls who were coming in to eat. These encounters have made me realized just how much common courtesy has evaporated from our country. I would have to think that the people that live in Canada themselves are the best advertising for tourists to come to Canada time and time again. This is something that money cannot buy, and is definitely a lot healthier and better for a society as a whole then the type of advertising that saturates the American people. This alone could be a key part to why Canada so inviting to the visitor. The warm attitudes that these people hold make you want to come back and visit a country that has both scenic beauty, and a neighborly attitude.

I also noticed that everywhere we went felt very safe. No there wasn't a ton of cops all over the place, because that is what would actually make me feel kind of on edge. Instead I saw very few, and still I felt very safe. Walking through downtown Toronto was like walking through downtown West Dundee, IL. I mentioned this to my Dad when I got home, and he told me that in the three trips they have taken to Canada they felt the same way. He actually asked me if they carried guns, because they hadn't when he had been there many year previous. Why is it that Canada needs less enforcement? Part of it probably comes from the welcoming attitude that the people there seem to share. This probably prevents a lot of stupid arguments and emotions from flaring up. It is also because Canada really isn't a super popular country in the scope of things. Rarely does Canada make the news, or create a stir, because it is conservative in nature. This well kept secret of a nation really makes it that much better because it doesn't attract the nut-cases that the United States does.

The CN Tower was one of the coolest things that I visited in Canada. Being the tallest building in the world, it is quite a sight to see, and the view was spectacular. However, being a Chicagoan, one thing bothered me. This tower is not an office building like the Sears Tower, but merely just a broadcasting tower with only an elevator shaft going from ground level to the observation. There was no need for tons of planning so that thousands of people could work in safety like the Sears Tower was. The Sears Tower is not one of the 7 Modern Wonders of the World, but it definitely should be instead of the CN Tower because of how much more of a building it really is. Its antennas are even counted in the total height, while the Sears Tower's are not. The tower guide himself said he thought the CN Tower was only 3 meters taller than the Sears Tower with the antennas. If you think about how long 3 meter sticks are, that is really nothing. I think that it is a shame that the Sears Tower lost the award of being the World's largest building to what is basically a satellite tower that has 2 million visitors a year. Actually the Sears Tower is now number three is the world behind the CN Tower and a Russian tower that is similar to the CN Tower.

Sure Canada may not appear different from an outside viewer, but as you can see it really is. After visiting it I won't complain about the 13% tax that you have to pay for sales tax, because you can tell that money is definitely going to make a great country to be in. I will be going for numerous visits in the future for sure.