Day 28 - Waffles that Baffle your Buds

Using the train is way better than bus. If today’s blog says one thing: Use the gift that is the train. They are comfy, relatively inexpensive, well set up and the amenities are more than sufficient. The train operators are great as well. Friendly, helpful and full of beans.

Canned Sardines to Canned Oysters

We got in quite late last night from Duffs Beer and decided to entirely ignore our alarm clock. This was actually the very first time we overslept and to have overslept in a place this nasty was a surprise to us both. Perhaps it was fumigation particles still lingering on the bed sheets? Anyways, our little flip phone starts ringing: it’s the cab driver and he is already waiting outside. We rushed out of there, hopped into the taxi and headed across town to the train station.  

We headed out from Niagara Falls at 6am with the aim of arriving in Syracuse in the early afternoon. The time went by quite easily with some great views along the way. Loads of these little towns with one or two co-op style shops surrounded by acres and acres of lush green openness. Reminded me of home.

Top Tip No.13: If you have a choice between the bus and a train - take the train. Not saying its particularly faster or tons more comfortable...it is just better. Its the difference between canned sardines and canned oysters - one is just better you know?

Harries Pancakes for Waffles

Once we arrived in Syracuse we headed straight for a local eating spot named Funk and Waffles. Awesome, awesome place for waffles. We beat down two humongous waffles. Walked that off up and down the hills there and got quite lost on our way to our overnight stay. Our first co-hab stay on Air BnB. Up until now we had the entire unit to ourselves so this was to be a first.

The bus system works well in Syracuse (much like any other city in the U.S) so we managed to find our way relatively simply. Okay – apart from a 3 hour walking detour because our phone text capabilities meant that we couldn’t communicate with the AirBnB host. His text message that he sent to us for directions read:  "There are two Scottholm streets, one is Terrace and the other is Boulevard. Make sure to use Scottholm >" the text message cut off. There was two options:

Scottholm Bvld and Scotthom Terrace. We tossed a coin and went for Bvld… We walked and walked and walked dragging our little bags along. Wrong option.

Amper BosKak Sonder die Bos

It has been about 3 hours since we hopped off the bus. We got properly lost looking for the right street and, in amongst all this walking and petty arguing, Barbara had been keeping a secret. The bus was full and some of the erm, "passengers", are in deathly need of eviction. So much so that we almost took a chance at doing her business in some dudes front yard…it got close at one stage. Literally behind a small shrub a few meters from the guys pathway. We were talking about how I could stand guard in the road and she could use the bags as cover.

Fortunately, we made it in time. We dropped off our luggage, had a quick shower and headed back onto the buses back into town. There is a University nearby so we figured two things: One: There should be those typical fraternities about and Two: The night life should be awesome. We walked about and true as nuts there they were. Old houses with those Roman and or Greek symbols on them. Barbara and I took a photo with Alfa Omega House and tried to figure out what the others meant. Nothing like our Res Campuses let me tell you. A whole bunch of them all in a row down a dual carriageway with this awesome park in between the lanes. From there we cased out a few pub windows and checked out the specials boards. “The places must open quite late” Barbara said to me which we both just sort of agreed with.

Grahamstown but Bigger

The streets were desolate. It was the middle of the holidays. Everything was closed and if it wasn’t closed it was selling Chinese food. Bit of a downer but it was a lovely place and had a lot to offer…just go in season I assume. We literally ended up going into a Pakistani type corner café and got oddly named treats for dinner. They were loading in what I can only assume was contraband cigarettes in unmarked boxes through the door. They weren’t expecting customers I don’t think.

We headed back to our night stay and hit the hay. A little disappointed that we never got our party on with bullish college guys and mini-skirted frat girls but hey – we got some waffles in at least. We are up early tomorrow back on the train and heading down to New York. Nice!

Funk n Waffles TripAdvisor