No description of our Pittsburgh trip would be complete without mention of our gracious hosts -- and the reason for our visit in the first place. Simone and Kyndall were great to be with. And so was their little dog, Quimby. Simone had only minimal obligations at school -- a study group, some homework and preparing for an exam Tuesday, the day we left -- so she was able to spend a fair amount of time with us as we ate, shopped and played during our six-day, five-night stay.
Kyndall was a near-constant companion, picking us up at the airport, driving us to different parts of the city and hanging out with us, and rising early Tuesday to deliver us back to the airport long before the sun rose. We especially enjoyed her company on our first day of touring, as we rode the Duquesne Incline, had lunch wiith a spectacular view of the Ohio River and its tributaries, and then walked along East Carson Street in the South Side district, ending our trek at a Goodwill store where -- shockingly -- none of us purchased anything.
Lori and I spent two nights in a hotel, two nights in a bed-and-breakfast and one night in between at Simone and Kyndall's place in the up-and-coming Lawrenceville neighborhood. During those 24 hours, we got a true glimpse of lfe in the city, from a decidedly blue-collar perspective. The girls live in a two-story brick house, with a fenced backyard, that I'd describe as gritty but functional. They are just a block from the main thoroughfare, Butler Avenue, and a short walk to the neighborhood park, where Quimby is a regular visitor. Along Butler, there is a mix of taverns and pizza joints, new restaurants and art galleries, and a smattering of other businesses.
On Saturday, we hung out in the Strip District, where two days later Vice President Biden did some campaigning for a local politician and schmoozed with folks at an ice cream store. On Sunday, we all went to Arsenal Lanes, an old-school bowling alley offering 50-cent hotdogs, 50-cent soft drinks and 50-cent games. Very cool.
Simone and Kyndall seem to be adjusting well to life in their new hometown. We met a handful of their friends and got a feel for their day-to-day life. They will be in Pittsburgh for two years as Simone pursues her masters in public policy and management while also working a few hours a week at Pittsburgh Public Schools. Kyndall is being deliberate in scouting out job opportunities and, in the meantime, is volunteering at a radio station and some nonprofits.
As good as it was to see them, it will be even nicer to have them home again. They'll arrive in mid-December for a month-long stay between semesters.
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