"Steel City USA" a Pittsburgh Travel Page by ray_d

It took 3 hours to booking in, go trough customs and a random search of my on-board luggage.

As usual I had to half undress so as not to excite the metal detector which would pick a metal bra-hook. That done a fossick of the Duty-free shops unearthed a bottle of Highland Park whiskey that was older than my beard.
The shop-girl conspiritationally winked at me and said she would follow me to the next baggage search and smooth en the transit of the liquid amber.

"Wot...another search!" I cry.
It seems that there may have been some secret information that made it necessary to prolong my annoyment.

I walk up to the Waiting-Lounge where a full search was being conducted.
Surprisingly enough I was cleared after a nice guy with CIA on a plastic vest and rubberised gloves gently dismembered my backpack.

The 15 hour flight into Los Angeles was much less traumatic.
The food plastic but edible and I slept trough most of the Movies and the endless food trays.

One passenger fell into my lap trying to cut across the seats but apart from his bruised ego no harm was done.

A mile ride in the Airport-bus to a different terminal led to some more Metal detectors and a nasal drawl saying: "Ain't no liquids allowed unless in the plane's hold".

More undressing for the metal detector and discovered the Highland Park I was cuddling half way round the earth was not allowed my company anymore.
A minor reshuffling of wares and the liquid nectar relegated to the bowels of an uncaring Boeing and I was allowed into the terminal for the final leg of the flight.
The next 4 hours were spent half-asleep being occasionally jarred awake by the lady who overflowed out of my adjacent seat.

Pittsburgh was cool and comfortable in autumn.
Lightly overcast and busy in nature, it pleases with its air of noisy exuberance.
Shady-side is quieter than the average.
Prettily treed and the up market shopping makes it a convenient neighborhood to live in.
The city centre is within hailing distance and the mountains, rivers and Arts are within a short drive away.

Those 3 days in Pittsburgh were a perfect stop to wait out the jetlag that followed me weighing heaver than the accumulated luggage I carried.

Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History.

A most comfortable place to walk trough the different displays.
Certainly not unique and not one that you would travel half the world for but a beautifully convenient Museum to walk around in.

A very enjoyable section on paintings from both the new and old world.
Displays on antiquities from Egypt and China.
A huge hall with perfectly made reproductions of important and famous bits of significant architecture trough the ages.
The famous part of the Museum where the remains of Dinosaurs reside was unfortunately part closed for renovation.

Modern art took a large part of the top floor.
An exhibition on Eskimos and Artic expeditions was very educational and a concise section on the Red Indian communities and their differing cultures.

Overall, the 4 hours spent were unhurried but oh so enjoyable.
Little rest at a Bar in the University area concluded the day’s outing.

A perfectly enjoyable day watching the human nature do business in busy streets.