Shadyside

I absolutely adore my neighborhood - it really is, in my opinion, the best place to live in Pittsburgh.

Today I am determined to start, and make substantial process, on my externship writing requirement. Of course this can't be done without a little errand running and a latte. So I threw on some jeans and caught a bus (which I intended to ride for 5 blocks......it's totally better than walking) in order to get down to Walnut Street. While riding the bus I began to ponder how much better Fifth Avenue would be if it were about 40 feet wider with a grass median and a tram line running in the center alas I overshot my stop by about 3 blocks by the time I came out of my daydream. Miraculously I didn't even care, though it was rather funny that my waiting for and riding the bus only saved me a net 2 blocks. Walking back to Walnut street it started to mist outside, which was actually really nice, it blended well with the music I was listening to (Eternal Sunshine - thanks Throck).

Okay - now here is why I love my neighborhood: Because it was misting outside, very overcast, and there were tons of people on the street. Some had umbrellas, some didn't, but Walnut street was bustling....people were walking to get lunch, to buy clothes, to go to the Shadyside market, everyone had a cup of coffee in their hand, there were vendors on the sidewalks and music being played from the local record store. It felt very 'small french town in Brittany'. It's the idyllic neighborhood experience - it's preserved here where unfortunately in so many other communities it has been destroyed by the sprawl.

So rock on Shadyside, coffee, music & cigarettes - despite the presence of corporate chain stores, a ped-oriented community still thrives.