By Carly.
Sometimes it takes going away for a few days to remember everything you love about a place. I headed off to Minnesota this weekend for a friend’s wedding. The weekend was full of good food, good friends, and lots of dancing. My friend’s who were getting married had met when we all lived in Peru so it was a wonderful chance for us all to reminisce about our time down there. It made me miss Peru but also reminded me why I had returned to Pittsburgh.
Exploring the Twin Cities
While we were in Minnesota we had some great meals out and I was shocked during my time at how vegetarian and vegan friendly the restaurants throughout Minneapolis were. Honestly, I got a bit jealous and started thinking how nice it would be if Pittsburgh was just a tad more veggie friendly. Despite my increased options in food (and thus food intake), and while the weekend away was a much needed break from work as well as the rain that had engulfed Pittsburgh for the past week, I found myself longing to get back. I think part of this was due to the many reminders of Pittsburgh I encountered.
A good friend of mine from Sacramento had flown in for the wedding as well. She had cousins who lived outside Minneapolis on a farm. They were preparing for an annual Chili Cook Off that they hosted in their barn. We headed over there on Friday morning prepared to be put to work but ended up spending the entire time talking and drinking coffee. They were some of the coolest people I have met and truly embody the LoF mentality. Their Chili Cook Off is open to all their friends of all ages, features a chili potluck and mega dance party. So, can you guess where they had been the weekend before? If you thought the city of black and gold (which had been covered in rain that weekend) then you are right!
Despite the weather they were full of praise for the Cathedral of Learning, Brgr, and Falling Water. Plus, they have a daughter, who I can only assume is as cool as they are, who is studying medicine near the city. I’m thinking she might deserve an “admission of admiration” if only so I can get invited to the Chili Cook-off next year…I mean, they have a band and bring in a professional square dance caller!!!
‘Burghers are All Over the World
Though my friend and I were loathe to leave, we were soon on our way to Rochester, a little city outside of Minneapolis, for the wedding celebrations. That evening was the wedding rehearsal (my friend was giving a reading) followed by the rehearsal dinner. In typical “Pittsburghers are all over the world” fashion I sat down next to a really cool friend of the Bride who was studying for his PhD in Spanish Poetry and learned quite quickly that he was from Butler. Mere minutes later I met an Uncle and Aunt of the Bride who currently live in Pittsburgh, a doctor at the new Children’s Hospital, and a Professor at Heinz!! We naturally gravitated to each other swapping stories about what we love about Pittsburgh and playing the name game – not surprisingly we knew many people in common.
Coming Home
On Sunday I was so happy to get home. Talking about why I loved Pittsburgh, with fellow Pittsburghers, while not in Pittsburgh, really reminded me of how great a city it is (the gorgeous leaves on the drive back from the airport and winning the Steelers game yesterday didn’t hurt either). To really seal the deal, this morning I was up for an early morning jog with some friends. Crossing the Roberto Clemente Bridge we looked to our left and saw the most amazing sunrise over the city…reminding me what I lucky girl I am to live in such an amazing city (and with friends who will meet me for a 6:30 jog!).
