Travelling America: Niagara Falls

I cut short my stay in NYC and took the 10.20am train from NY Penn station. I bid farewell to my pal CL and took the 9-hour train-ride up north. 

Check out the last post at:

https://weesertan.blogspot.com/2019/05/travelling-america-new-york-city-part-2.html

Thankfully Amtrak trains were comfortable. I had my laptop, and was able to do some work, reading, sleep, eat my packed lunch (with fruits) and still I was still in New York State.  

Niagara Falls is in New York State

Well, there are 2 sides of Niagara Falls - One in USA (New York state) and one on the Canadian side (Ontario).

How do people do a day trip from NYC to Niagara Falls remains a myth to me. I booked 2 nights in a promising-looking hostel from booking.com. In fact, it was the cheapest I could find.

When I finally arrive after 9 hours, it was almost dark. From Google Map, it showed a distance of 25 minutes walk from the train station to my hostel, so I imagined it would be a serene stroll in what was a famous town.

Good start

But the longer I walked, the more dire it got. Niagara Falls, New York (state) seems to have a glorious past, but it did look slightly rundown. Maybe it was still winter, and low season for tourism.

I would later learn that this city's population dropped almost half since the heady heights of the 70s

The eerie solo-walk bordered serene and fright. I was glad that I stood at 6 feet. It was too still and too quiet.

After checking-in with the night sky still clear, I decided to take stroll into town and get some food. Again, it was very quiet, with some occasional cars passing-by. 

Nope, the background is Ontario in Canada, across the river (mostly casinos)

The weather forecast for the next day was not inspiring... There would be rain / snow.

Things that I learned from football (and Liverpool Football Club)

When Liverpool beat Barcelona last month 4-0 at Anfield, over-turning a 3-0 first leg defeat, it was a terrific week for world football or any neutral football fans.

If you do not know what happened, just remember that nothing is impossible in life, and that we should never give up.

Ever since my cousin WH showed me a red 'Owen #10' jersey from his wardrobe, I sub-consciously supported the team. The first Liverpool team I watched had Gerard Houllier as manager, with players such as Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler, Emile Heskey, Sander Westerveld, Patrick Berger, Jamie Carragher, Sammi Hyypia, a young Steven Gerard and etc. It was the days where you could just watch EPL on our normal TV stations without paying big bucks for private cable TV.

It must be way back in 2000...

Fast forward to 2016, I was lucky enough to go to the UK for my postgraduate studies.

I worked part-time to finance my past-time

Kak R (Grand Master) would drive to Anfield from Glasgow, and back after matches, while I tag along (It's 4-hour per way journey!) 

I do at times reflect and try to take a leaf out of the beautiful game (maybe just to self-motivate or self-console). Here are the top 8 things I've learned thus far:

#1. English

It's true. To be able to understand every word and term the football commentators speak requires practice and ability. The next level is to differentiate and understand different accent from different countries / regions of the English speaking word. Scottish accent takes time to get used to (but I really like it), while Scouse is difficult to understand, and Geordie accent from the east coast is almost...

#2. Mutual Respect and team ethics

Football is a team sport, and there is always no 'I' in a 'TEAM'. You occasionally find superstars like Messi and Ronaldo, but the football field is a bit too big when compared with a basketball court. A chain is as strong as the weakest link.

In life, I strongly believe in mutual respect, and staying humble. We do at times see teammates fighting each other, even at a level like the EPL - (Was it Newcastle or West Ham). This is definitely a lesson of what not to do.

You also need to respect your opponents. In this modern digital edge, where everything you do get captured on camera, it is always safer to follow the rules and 'not play dirty' in life. Sergio Ramos wrestled Mo Salah to the ground and dislocate Salah's shoulder in last year's final, and I think the whole world knows it.