Pittsburgh Tourists

Don't let it get around but Pittsburgh is a really cool town. Our recent visit from Out-of-towners included a physician from Croatia and a New Yorker. Now we may be cool but honestly it is a little bit of a challenge to compete with NYC as a tourist destination. But, My Beloved who is a natural born travel guide, and I were up for the task.

Out of the millions of things we could do we planned out an itinerary that started in the Strip District. The Strip gets it's name from the narrow bit of land it occupies between a limestone cliff and the Allegheny river. This neighborhood is a warehouse district where produce, fresh meats, and fish of all sorts can be bought for cheap. The prices are guaranteed to wow the Big City Folks. You can pretty much get anything here that you could get in New York it's just that there's only one or two places to get it instead of a hundred. Also in the Strip District is St. Patrick's Church. In the middle of the warehouses is this tiny church set behind walls which enclose a beautiful and tranquil garden. The church is one of the only I know of around here which is open 24 hours a day. I also know of no other church that consists largely of a flight of stairs. You open the door and in front of you is a flight of stairs which you are meant to climb on your knees. Right at the top is the altar.

We also visited the Warhol Museum. I spent most of the visit sitting in the lobby talking to my patients on the phone. Just one of those occupational hazards. I did have time to visit the gift store though. My guest and I both bought package tape imprinted with a series of Warhol likenesses of Jesus. This will make easy work of Christmas wrapping this year. Too bad for you dear reader. You cannot get the tape on line. I recommend the switch plates however.

Finally we had a good "Hunky" lunch at a place in McKee's Rocks which I call the pierogie palace but which is actually called Pierogies Plus. Need a starch fix? This is the place for you. If you are going to each the stuff you might as well eat the best. You can order them on-line....