Windsor, Ontario

I got an opportunity to travel to Windsor, Ontario last week, for the second time around. Admittedly, Windsor is not my number one choice of city to visit and it was work that took me there. But having not gone anywhere for a couple of months and being there with an adventurous work collegue, I was determined to see Windsor with open eyes. After all, travelers can't be choosers.

First of all, here are some facts I learnt about the city:

It is the southern most city in Canada.

It is known as the "automotive capital of Canada"

It is across the river from Detroit.

It is connected to Detroit by the privately owned Ambassador Suspension Bridge which carries 27% of the trade between Canada and USA.

It is also connected by the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.

It's busiest transport truck traffic days are on the bridge are Tuesdays and Wednesdays afternoons.

But more interesting is the variety of night life downtown Windsor has to offer

And some details about the kinds of entertainment you can enjoy

And not be disappointed

Personally noteworthy was our visit to the brightly lit Windsor Casino

where this new extension was just built even though over 200 employees were let go last week due to poor business as of late.

Inside this gambling machine, I withdraw $20.00 cash from the ATM, the amount that I decided I would be willing to loose at playing slots. Now money in hand, how do I pick the best slot machine that will win me a jackpot? I am new at this game and I walk around in a few circles before I settle on a 25cent machine. "Push the button and turn the crank", my experienced collegue tells me, amused at my novelty and innocence in such a place. Ok then, I do just that. With $5.00, I start at 20 points and with each crank, I slowly watch the number going down, down, down, then up, then down, then up.... In no time, my point count is at zero and I turn around with an unhappy pout plastered on my face. Not only had I just lost $5.00 in under 5 minutes, I also now realize the level of anxiety this game was giving me.

But then, maybe I'll try again. With wallet still clutched in my left hand, I pick a new machine and play another $5.00 and at the first crank, the points jump from 20 to 69. Wow! My heart beats faster. Is that right? Quickly I do the math. Did I just gain $17.00? I look for reaffirmation but my collegue is no where to be found. I play some more: the number goes up, down, down, up, until finally fear takes over and I cash out at $15.00, happy to not be in the negative.

Now with 3 five dollar bills in hand, I think, why not spend the gain and see if there's one more chance to raise funds for Architecture for Humanity and my trip next year. Again, I watch the points drop and rise one by one. At $2.50 remaining, I wonder if I should stop. No, I continue taking chances, my heart and hope still thumping away, right until zero.

That's it, it is definitely time to quit and we leave the casino soon after. I am happy that I have broke even, not lost any money until I think about the $3.00 service charge at the bank machine. Damn, it really is a gamble.

(Sorry, no photography allowed inside the casino)