Strip District-Pittsburgh

Today has been the first time I have been in my beautiful city of Pittsburgh since Fall break.

That is about 3 months people. Not really OK in my book. 

I got off for Thanksgiving break last Wednesday and headed straight to the Boy's house in Ohio for some much needed family bonding. By family bonding, I mean meeting approximately 15 different family members and spending more time with his family. I would be lying if I said it was not a little bit overwhelming. Yet, it was truly so great to spend more time with all of them.

However, being back in Pittsburgh means spending some much needed quality time with some long lost friends. I met up with one of my dearest friends from High school, Melanie, at Pamela's in Pittsburgh. Pamela's is a binge fest on the best crepe like Pancakes in Pittsburgh. Oh and lets not forget the bottomless coffee. 

My adventure then took me into wandering the streets of the Strip District, visiting familiar places as well as unfamiliar. The Strip District is a maze of eclectic shops, Pittsburgh food staples, street vendors, Steeler's fans and no parking. Plus during the holiday season there is this essence that is magical. 

Here in no particular order are 8 places in the Strip you need to visit.

1. Pamela's Diner 

Well duh.

2. Pittsburgh Popcorn Company

I did not manage to make a stop today and boy do I regret it. Not only do they have the classic Caramel, Cheese and Kettle flavors, but PPC has changing flavors with every couple of weeks. Currently they have Candy Cane Corn, Buffalo n Ranch and Jalapeno Popper until the 26th. 

3. Society for Contemporary Craft

Want an art gallery, store and classes in one? Well, the Society for Contemporary Craft is an incredible gallery right on Smallman Street that focuses on the art of mixed media and crafts. I love their use of beading in a lot of their art, as well as the innovation behind many of their exhibits. Plus I am actually addicted to looking up their different workshops.

4. 21st Street Coffee and Tea

You want a hipster coffee shop? Well here you have it. 

5. Kaya

A blend of Caribbean and Pacific food. I absolutely adore this restaurant and the vibe it has. I recommend making a reservation and getting the Black Bean and Pineapple Quesadilla.

6. Mancini's Bread

Pittsburgh has a great deal of Italian roots, including Mancini's. They have the best bread in Pennsylvania without a doubt. Plus their Pepperoni Rolls and Pizza dough are to die for. Stop in to pick up a loaf of Italian bread and any other concoction you can find.

7. Penn Avenue Pottery

There is not much really to say. I am obsessed with handmande pottery. I could be in this store all day. 

8.  Pennsylvania Macaroni Co.

The lines may be long (I am not exaggerating, they are enormous), but you will find the best cheese and pasta sauce.

What are some hidden gems in your city? Where are your favorite places to go to be tourists in your own city?

Alyssa

Wanderlust Wednesdays

 

Moraine Lake, Canada

"Travel. It leaves you speechless, then turns you into storyteller." - Ibn Battuta

That time I went to Nepal

Long time no post right? Story of my life. I have no excuse for the semester. I guess just busy with life, trying to keep investing in friends, people, my undeniably complicated schedule, oh yeah. I also was preparing to leave for weeks to travel to Nepal for missions work.

I cannot begin to explain how impactful and incredible this summer was. Truly a transformative time where I realized more than I can ever describe. Here is a small summary:

• God is so good and so much bigger than we understand
• Missions is hard. I do not care who tells you otherwise, but sharing the word of God and figuring out how God wants you to minister wherever he has called you is hard. Yet it is so worth it.
• Nepali fashion is incredible. Why do we not wear baggy pants/tunics everyday in America
• My passion for human trafficking has been made so clear. It has always been there, but I have found such a reignited passion for this cause.
• I love America, but I kind of hate America. I am so over our materialistic, burdened culture
• Tea is almost as good as coffee. Almost.

This is only a small summary of everything I have been able to realize in the few short weeks I have been back. I cannot describe how much I miss my incredible team and the beautiful people of Nepal.

Below are a few links pertaining more to my trip if you want to check them out. If not, I guess that is ok too. Also question of the day: tell me about your experiences with eye opening trips or missions experiences. Aaaaaand go. 

New Wilmington Missions Conference - group I traveled through/best week of summer

Summer Service blog - the blog I worked on with my team 

Day Tripper Part 1

I love road trips. I would hands down take a road trip over any flight/train/boat any day. There is just something so magnificent about a road trip, especially one done alone. I have time to think, jam out and just be peaceful for a long period of time, which in short, is a huge blessing.

So these past two days I have been out and about visiting one of my best friends from high school at Allegheny college. It is about 1 1/2 hours from the city, so the perfect distance for a small road trip, but nothing too extreme. My drive consisted of a huge Sheetz cup of Diet Coke and Mat Kearney/Dia Framton/Feist and a GPS with a British accent.

All of this artwork that I photographed is actually a huge mural alongside the highway made by Allegheny students, completely out of road signs. I was completely memorized by this fabulous piece of art, the size as well as the creativity. Ideas for a miniature DIY perhaps?

Also what is not pictured is a huge "garden" of over sized flowers made of road signs. I just about died at the cuteness.

More details on the trip, as well as more fabulous pictures (the next post will be photographs taken by Aurley) will be posted shortly!