Pittsburgh Weekend, 9.29 - 9.31
Pittsburgh was exciting, busy, maddeningly familiar, while altogether different.
People move about within their own shells of time and space. Despite this, the friendliness of the Southern States still pervades when individuals are engaged in conversation. Getting a sandwich from a local fish and chips restaurant, one notices the simplistic bustling of the staff, who in an effort to make customers as satisfied as possible, often ask simple questions such as "what are you in the mood for? hot sauce? beverages? are you hungry?" Questions people in less open markets might be less inclined to ask.
PNC Park, the baseball stadium built six years ago to house the Pittsburgh Pirates major league baseball team, was quite possibly the most attractive ball park that I've visited. Located right at the head of Station Square, the ball park faces the Allegheny River and has the trappings of both the modern stadiums of its time and the classic stadiums built a century ago. Similar in tone to Camden Yards in Baltimore, PNC Park doesn't have many flashy technological advances--past the large 'jumbo screen' in left field.
The modern aspects of the park, though, include the beautiful skyline of all the buildings in the Station Square business district. Also, the services we received were exceptional. We lucked out when friends of a friend gave us fifty dollar 'club level' seat tickets for free! We were given access to the dining services not usually offered to general admission--including actual restaurants within the interior of the ballpark that are only leveled off for club level ticket holders. Along with that, we were treated to a great view, from standing areas--where people could eat and watch the game.
That the Pirates lost against the St. Louis Cardinals was almost an after-thought, as we were so thankful for such a great experience. The city had beautiful weather the entire weekend and I was glad to have my best friend around to show me various of the city life touches that make Pittsburgh unique. The cultural district is very intriguing, as one could walk 15 feet in any direction and be treated to not only an interesting view--of the various buildings housing arts and theater fare, but also the sounds of the creative people who frequent this section of town.
We passed through Station Square and ate at various eateries in that area. Specifically, Primanti Brother's, Pittsburgh's most famous eatery (for more, see www.rackdeal.com/primantibrothers). What makes their sandwiches so famous is that they throw the french fries onto the sandwich you've ordered. That adds a different texture to the sandwich, and also makes for a larger sandwich. It's all manageable, though, and the unique taste is quite a good experience!
The bar scene in Pittsburgh was pretty good, also. I really enjoyed "Gene's Place", my friend Andrew's favorite dive, and we also went to a couple of bars on North Side, specifically McFadden's and Firewater's Saloon. Very manageable locales, very accommodating wait staff..., and the prices weren't outrageous--though they definitely were out of the range of a non-working typical college student who likes to consume copious amounts of alcohol in a sitting. If you like to drink, don't go to one of those bars without at least 60 bucks in your wallet.
All in all, a good time. It took me 3.5 hours to make it down, and I was able to drive home in 3.15 hours. The time was well spent in the city, my friends were healthy and happy, and I rested very comfortably upon my return to Charleston.
The next update should follow my trip to Shepherdstown this weekend.
- Raf
10.01.07
rbarke02(at)shepherd.edu
People move about within their own shells of time and space. Despite this, the friendliness of the Southern States still pervades when individuals are engaged in conversation. Getting a sandwich from a local fish and chips restaurant, one notices the simplistic bustling of the staff, who in an effort to make customers as satisfied as possible, often ask simple questions such as "what are you in the mood for? hot sauce? beverages? are you hungry?" Questions people in less open markets might be less inclined to ask.
PNC Park, the baseball stadium built six years ago to house the Pittsburgh Pirates major league baseball team, was quite possibly the most attractive ball park that I've visited. Located right at the head of Station Square, the ball park faces the Allegheny River and has the trappings of both the modern stadiums of its time and the classic stadiums built a century ago. Similar in tone to Camden Yards in Baltimore, PNC Park doesn't have many flashy technological advances--past the large 'jumbo screen' in left field.
The modern aspects of the park, though, include the beautiful skyline of all the buildings in the Station Square business district. Also, the services we received were exceptional. We lucked out when friends of a friend gave us fifty dollar 'club level' seat tickets for free! We were given access to the dining services not usually offered to general admission--including actual restaurants within the interior of the ballpark that are only leveled off for club level ticket holders. Along with that, we were treated to a great view, from standing areas--where people could eat and watch the game.
That the Pirates lost against the St. Louis Cardinals was almost an after-thought, as we were so thankful for such a great experience. The city had beautiful weather the entire weekend and I was glad to have my best friend around to show me various of the city life touches that make Pittsburgh unique. The cultural district is very intriguing, as one could walk 15 feet in any direction and be treated to not only an interesting view--of the various buildings housing arts and theater fare, but also the sounds of the creative people who frequent this section of town.
We passed through Station Square and ate at various eateries in that area. Specifically, Primanti Brother's, Pittsburgh's most famous eatery (for more, see www.rackdeal.com/primantibrothers). What makes their sandwiches so famous is that they throw the french fries onto the sandwich you've ordered. That adds a different texture to the sandwich, and also makes for a larger sandwich. It's all manageable, though, and the unique taste is quite a good experience!
The bar scene in Pittsburgh was pretty good, also. I really enjoyed "Gene's Place", my friend Andrew's favorite dive, and we also went to a couple of bars on North Side, specifically McFadden's and Firewater's Saloon. Very manageable locales, very accommodating wait staff..., and the prices weren't outrageous--though they definitely were out of the range of a non-working typical college student who likes to consume copious amounts of alcohol in a sitting. If you like to drink, don't go to one of those bars without at least 60 bucks in your wallet.
All in all, a good time. It took me 3.5 hours to make it down, and I was able to drive home in 3.15 hours. The time was well spent in the city, my friends were healthy and happy, and I rested very comfortably upon my return to Charleston.
The next update should follow my trip to Shepherdstown this weekend.
- Raf
10.01.07
rbarke02(at)shepherd.edu