Pittsburgh getaway!
After an amazing 2 weeks spent in Serbia with my dad and family and friends; I came back to Nemacolin right before the snow depressed and sad and at this time I also had 5 days off since Lautrec was closed. Kevi and I were having dinner Sunday night just talking about how the week was going to be very slow and boring and then a light bulb went off; Why don't we go to Pittsburgh for 2 days and come back Thursday! And that is exactly what we did! We booked 2 nights at the Westin Convention Center in Downtown Pittsburgh; picked up the bus schedule and hoped on the bus early Tuesday morning!
The ride down was fine just over an hour and in a matter of minutes we could see the buildings and LIFE!! We were so excited the entire time we could not believe that we were finally away from Nemacolin and in the city- alone!!
We checked into our hotel which was located in the dead centre of the downtown area and connected to the conference centre where the G20 took place (no wonder all traffic was closed at that time)...got up to our room and were amazed by the view! We stayed on the 15 floor and it was spectacular!! The hotel is very very eco friendly and from the moment you get to the hotel entrance, you are greeted with warmth and professionalism; there is a certain zen about the place I love it!!
We unpacked, and Kevi really made herself right at home, and headed outside to grab a bite to eat! It was beautiful weather we wanted to walk but we did not know where to go so the van driver, Tony took us to the strip district located just behind the hotel! We got off and found the first restaurant; Roland's a seafood place and it was so great!!! The strip distrinct looks like a huge international neighborhood; lots of ethnic restaurants, supermarkets, flea markets- very warm and friendly!
At Roland's we ordered a caprese bruschetta along with raspberry encrusted scallops! The main course was Roland's signature Lobster roll and a bowl of pasta and let me tell you it was DELICIOUS!! it was way too much for us anyway so we ended up taking most of it home!
And then we realised that we forgot our toothbrushes so we walked behind the strip to find a grocery store
found these
and THIS ATM
...no comment.....
After we got back we took about an hour rest on the most comfortable beds ever (and Kevi did not want to leave the bed at anytime!); and then headed to walk through the city! We started strolling down the Culture district which is home to the several theatres such as Heinz Hall, O'Reilly Theatre, Benedum Centre and Chatham Hall. We spent the whole day literally just walking and taking photos! it felt so so nice to be in a city with life, traffic lights, people walking!
We stopped into Saks where we found our theme for the trip; a designer brand called Young Fabulous and Broke.
The clothes are gorgeous and its a cute catchy name! After our eventful day we headed to the restaurant in the hotel called the Original Fish Market and it was fab! Lots of cute businessmen around us; we ordered a Cosmo and French Pear drinks along with some calamari (YUUUMMMMY); and in a few minutes later we hoped in a TAXI :) and went to the south side for some socialising! Unfortunately as it was a Tuesday night it was really dead and boring but we were glitzy, glam and girly and so we had super fun!
The next day we slept in until about 10:00 then made our way down to have breakfast which was VERY eco and healthy and delicious!!
As it was a rainy day we went back to the room and took a looong relaxing nap followed by equally relaxing baths (its been way too long dear tub!); got dressed and headed out to the Waterfront for some shopping!! We jumped into the taxi where a black guy was driving with a veery thing accent and of course I thought it was like Nigerian or that area. So we started talking and yup I was right! He was from Lagos city but he moved here 26 years ago; very nice guy! Omolade was his name although his American name is Rob...soo funny!!
He dropped us off and first we had to buy some umbrellas and then made our way around. We did not buy much I just bought a tunic and a belt and Kevi got some shoes and by this time it was late so we were starving!
Kevi suggested P.F Chang's which is perfect because their food was amaaaazing *I know you are reading this Zhying*. We had a yummy lettuce wrap with egg rolls. Then fried rice with shrimps and vegetables and some noodles called Singapore street; it was soo delicious and WAY too much anyway!
After that we decided to go to watch a movie in the cinema but the times were way off so we called for a taxi to come and pick us up...1 hour later it still did not show up.
We were cold, annoyed, called 2 times AND both of our phones were dead!!! We were literally stranded! So we started walking toward the buses and a very kind lady dropped us up the bridge where we caught a taxi luckily and got home!! Phew!! We were so drained that we did not want to go out so we rested and watched some TV but THEN Kevi got this great idea to just take pictures in the room and it happened to bring up our mood it was hilarious!!
After that we got super cute dressed up and headed down to the Fish Market for some last cocktails..which resulted in sushi and dessert too...it was sooooooo good!!
Then we took Christmas pictures by the gorgeous tree and eventually made our way up to the room for an earlier night.. (yea right more like after midnight).
Our bus the next day left at 7:45 and it took us a while to actually find it! But nevertheless we were on our way...so sad to leave Pittsburgh!! When we came to Uniontown, the connecting bus to Farmington would come 2 hours later!! We were sooo pissed off and freezing; it was the coldest I have ever experienced!!
Kevi found a diner called Hot Digggy Doggs right across the street where we had some breakfast and sat there for 2 hours. It was very very creepy....trypical diner like setting in those dodgy movies...but everyone was very nice and it was homey. There was a guy playing a game for those 2 hours..nothing else.....at that point we realised we were back to reality and here we are...
The ride down was fine just over an hour and in a matter of minutes we could see the buildings and LIFE!! We were so excited the entire time we could not believe that we were finally away from Nemacolin and in the city- alone!!
We checked into our hotel which was located in the dead centre of the downtown area and connected to the conference centre where the G20 took place (no wonder all traffic was closed at that time)...got up to our room and were amazed by the view! We stayed on the 15 floor and it was spectacular!! The hotel is very very eco friendly and from the moment you get to the hotel entrance, you are greeted with warmth and professionalism; there is a certain zen about the place I love it!!
We unpacked, and Kevi really made herself right at home, and headed outside to grab a bite to eat! It was beautiful weather we wanted to walk but we did not know where to go so the van driver, Tony took us to the strip district located just behind the hotel! We got off and found the first restaurant; Roland's a seafood place and it was so great!!! The strip distrinct looks like a huge international neighborhood; lots of ethnic restaurants, supermarkets, flea markets- very warm and friendly!
At Roland's we ordered a caprese bruschetta along with raspberry encrusted scallops! The main course was Roland's signature Lobster roll and a bowl of pasta and let me tell you it was DELICIOUS!! it was way too much for us anyway so we ended up taking most of it home!
And then we realised that we forgot our toothbrushes so we walked behind the strip to find a grocery store
found these
and THIS ATM
...no comment.....
After we got back we took about an hour rest on the most comfortable beds ever (and Kevi did not want to leave the bed at anytime!); and then headed to walk through the city! We started strolling down the Culture district which is home to the several theatres such as Heinz Hall, O'Reilly Theatre, Benedum Centre and Chatham Hall. We spent the whole day literally just walking and taking photos! it felt so so nice to be in a city with life, traffic lights, people walking!
We stopped into Saks where we found our theme for the trip; a designer brand called Young Fabulous and Broke.
The clothes are gorgeous and its a cute catchy name! After our eventful day we headed to the restaurant in the hotel called the Original Fish Market and it was fab! Lots of cute businessmen around us; we ordered a Cosmo and French Pear drinks along with some calamari (YUUUMMMMY); and in a few minutes later we hoped in a TAXI :) and went to the south side for some socialising! Unfortunately as it was a Tuesday night it was really dead and boring but we were glitzy, glam and girly and so we had super fun!
The next day we slept in until about 10:00 then made our way down to have breakfast which was VERY eco and healthy and delicious!!
As it was a rainy day we went back to the room and took a looong relaxing nap followed by equally relaxing baths (its been way too long dear tub!); got dressed and headed out to the Waterfront for some shopping!! We jumped into the taxi where a black guy was driving with a veery thing accent and of course I thought it was like Nigerian or that area. So we started talking and yup I was right! He was from Lagos city but he moved here 26 years ago; very nice guy! Omolade was his name although his American name is Rob...soo funny!!
He dropped us off and first we had to buy some umbrellas and then made our way around. We did not buy much I just bought a tunic and a belt and Kevi got some shoes and by this time it was late so we were starving!
Kevi suggested P.F Chang's which is perfect because their food was amaaaazing *I know you are reading this Zhying*. We had a yummy lettuce wrap with egg rolls. Then fried rice with shrimps and vegetables and some noodles called Singapore street; it was soo delicious and WAY too much anyway!
After that we decided to go to watch a movie in the cinema but the times were way off so we called for a taxi to come and pick us up...1 hour later it still did not show up.
We were cold, annoyed, called 2 times AND both of our phones were dead!!! We were literally stranded! So we started walking toward the buses and a very kind lady dropped us up the bridge where we caught a taxi luckily and got home!! Phew!! We were so drained that we did not want to go out so we rested and watched some TV but THEN Kevi got this great idea to just take pictures in the room and it happened to bring up our mood it was hilarious!!
After that we got super cute dressed up and headed down to the Fish Market for some last cocktails..which resulted in sushi and dessert too...it was sooooooo good!!
Then we took Christmas pictures by the gorgeous tree and eventually made our way up to the room for an earlier night.. (yea right more like after midnight).
Our bus the next day left at 7:45 and it took us a while to actually find it! But nevertheless we were on our way...so sad to leave Pittsburgh!! When we came to Uniontown, the connecting bus to Farmington would come 2 hours later!! We were sooo pissed off and freezing; it was the coldest I have ever experienced!!
Kevi found a diner called Hot Digggy Doggs right across the street where we had some breakfast and sat there for 2 hours. It was very very creepy....trypical diner like setting in those dodgy movies...but everyone was very nice and it was homey. There was a guy playing a game for those 2 hours..nothing else.....at that point we realised we were back to reality and here we are...