Visting The Strip District was quite the event. To be completely honest it all started out pretty miserable. We had to take the 54 bus. Little did we know that we had to take the 54 bus..across the street. When we finally realized that we were going in the wrong direction we were in south side. We had spent an hour pointlessly trying to figure out the bus system. By the time we got on the right bus we had to endure an hour long ride. FINALLY we arrived at The Strip and everyones annoyance faded away. IT WAS SO COOL. This long street maybe 10-15 blocks long, full of street vendors, stores, food markets, and so much more. We spoke to so many people and learned so much about the area. We met a man that had been there "for twice our age." A man selling hand made jewelry who had recently lost his wife. A couple who made home decorations out of eating utensils. So many different people, each with their own unique story. My absolute FAVORITE part was finding this small little street vendor selling tacos. It had been months since I've had authentic hispanic food so this was heaven. I may not be from mexican heritage, but wow do i love tacos. I pigged out. I will definitely be heading back to The Strip soon and so should you!
As Michelle stated, our difficulty finding the right bus didn't start our trip on quite the right foot. However the chocolate chip pancakes I had eaten before leaving gave me the motivation to find the Strip District. Right as we stepped off the bus our excitement kicked in and we were ready to explore. The sidewalks were packed full with food vendors, people, clothing, and crafts. People of all ages filled the area, some in the same awe we possessed. However, some knew the area well and were headed straight toward the food markets to get daily groceries. Our exploring started with general shopping. We looked through many shops and street vendors, to first learn what the Strip District had to offer. After getting to know the lay of the land we began talking to store and vender owners. Most of them knew the area like the back of their hand. They could tell you how long Jimmy from the vender across the street had been there, where Tom Cruise had eaten, and where we had to buy ice cream. We met workers who'd been working in the strip district since way before I was born to a young girl working at a chocolate store that had just applied to go to Pitt the day before. Many storeowners had merely begun as a simply vendor on the street and had worked their way up to a whole store. And other street vendor owners aspired to one day open a restaurant or store. All in all we spent the day meeting new people, exploring new land, buying small trinkets, and eating delicious foods. However my favorite part of the day by far, was being given fresh bread for free after talking to a man in a small bakery. The people, food, souvenirs, and atmosphere all contribute to make the Strip District a cool and fun place to discover.
I absolutely love the strip district! The food, jewelry, and people were all so interesting! As soon as we got to the strip (after I complained on the bus ride) I fell in love. All the funky stuff they sell was like nothing I have ever seen! Right away I bought two pairs of diamond earrings. I would have bought more things in that store, but my partners were eager to explore which I'm glad we did! As we started to venture through the strip the smell of food filled my nose. Mexican, gyros, fruit, desserts everything was there - smelling delicious. I did not give in to buying food, however the gyro man did let me taste his cooked lamb. He was a cutie with a mustache that was curled up like on old movies. As I thanked him I entered a shop and talked to the worker with Megan. She told us about a church that had burned down, an ice cream place we need to visit, how Obama ate at a restaurant close by, and where Tom Cruise had ate. All things I want to check out the next time I visit. As we continued our journey we walked into an open building that sold many things. What caught my eye was the stand that sold silver spoon jewelry and decorations. Of course, I bought a spoon ring. I LOVE it! The lady who sold it to me, told me I must go into Pennsylvania Macaroni Company. It was nuts in there! People were everywhere buying meat, cheese, veggies, spices - everything! After leaving in amazement, I saw another table that was selling clay jewelry. He told me that he sells it and his wife makes it in order to make some extra money because she is disabled. I thought it was the cutest idea. He also explained to me how tabling and selling works at the strip (the steps you need to take in order to sell). He then described to me that the strip is the busiest on Saturday, but Thursday - Sunday some people (like himself) still sell! I could go on forever, but when it's all said and done all I have to say is "VISIT THE STRIP!" But, make sure you bring money with you, because if you are like me, you'll want to buy everything!
Visting The Strip District was quite the event. To be completely honest it all started out pretty miserable. We had to take the 54 bus. Little did we know that we had to take the 54 bus..across the street. When we finally realized that we were going in the wrong direction we were in south side. We had spent an hour pointlessly trying to figure out the bus system. By the time we got on the right bus we had to endure an hour long ride. FINALLY we arrived at The Strip and everyones annoyance faded away. IT WAS SO COOL. This long street maybe 10-15 blocks long, full of street vendors, stores, food markets, and so much more. We spoke to so many people and learned so much about the area. We met a man that had been there "for twice our age." A man selling hand made jewelry who had recently lost his wife. A couple who made home decorations out of eating utensils. So many different people, each with their own unique story. My absolute FAVORITE part was finding this small little street vendor selling tacos. It had been months since I've had authentic hispanic food so this was heaven. I may not be from mexican heritage, but wow do i love tacos. I pigged out. I will definitely be heading back to The Strip soon and so should you!
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ReplyDeleteAs Michelle stated, our difficulty finding the right bus didn't start our trip on quite the right foot. However the chocolate chip pancakes I had eaten before leaving gave me the motivation to find the Strip District. Right as we stepped off the bus our excitement kicked in and we were ready to explore. The sidewalks were packed full with food vendors, people, clothing, and crafts. People of all ages filled the area, some in the same awe we possessed. However, some knew the area well and were headed straight toward the food markets to get daily groceries. Our exploring started with general shopping. We looked through many shops and street vendors, to first learn what the Strip District had to offer. After getting to know the lay of the land we began talking to store and vender owners. Most of them knew the area like the back of their hand. They could tell you how long Jimmy from the vender across the street had been there, where Tom Cruise had eaten, and where we had to buy ice cream. We met workers who'd been working in the strip district since way before I was born to a young girl working at a chocolate store that had just applied to go to Pitt the day before. Many storeowners had merely begun as a simply vendor on the street and had worked their way up to a whole store. And other street vendor owners aspired to one day open a restaurant or store. All in all we spent the day meeting new people, exploring new land, buying small trinkets, and eating delicious foods. However my favorite part of the day by far, was being given fresh bread for free after talking to a man in a small bakery. The people, food, souvenirs, and atmosphere all contribute to make the Strip District a cool and fun place to discover.
ReplyDeleteI can't figure out how to post a picture, can I bring in a flash drive with our pictures on it?
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the strip district! The food, jewelry, and people were all so interesting! As soon as we got to the strip (after I complained on the bus ride) I fell in love. All the funky stuff they sell was like nothing I have ever seen! Right away I bought two pairs of diamond earrings. I would have bought more things in that store, but my partners were eager to explore which I'm glad we did! As we started to venture through the strip the smell of food filled my nose. Mexican, gyros, fruit, desserts everything was there - smelling delicious. I did not give in to buying food, however the gyro man did let me taste his cooked lamb. He was a cutie with a mustache that was curled up like on old movies. As I thanked him I entered a shop and talked to the worker with Megan. She told us about a church that had burned down, an ice cream place we need to visit, how Obama ate at a restaurant close by, and where Tom Cruise had ate. All things I want to check out the next time I visit. As we continued our journey we walked into an open building that sold many things. What caught my eye was the stand that sold silver spoon jewelry and decorations. Of course, I bought a spoon ring. I LOVE it! The lady who sold it to me, told me I must go into Pennsylvania Macaroni Company. It was nuts in there! People were everywhere buying meat, cheese, veggies, spices - everything! After leaving in amazement, I saw another table that was selling clay jewelry. He told me that he sells it and his wife makes it in order to make some extra money because she is disabled. I thought it was the cutest idea. He also explained to me how tabling and selling works at the strip (the steps you need to take in order to sell). He then described to me that the strip is the busiest on Saturday, but Thursday - Sunday some people (like himself) still sell! I could go on forever, but when it's all said and done all I have to say is "VISIT THE STRIP!" But, make sure you bring money with you, because if you are like me, you'll want to buy everything!
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