⑫Three internationals and our five neighborhoods @ Oakland, Squirrel Hill, Mt. Washington, Strip District, and Sou (th) Side

Unlike what the French is doing to their country’s immigrants, Pittsburgh Homeland Security officers might not “kidnap” kids from school and send them back to where they originated so that kids’ family would have to leave the country. However, there is still consequences if the law would be broken. So the point is that although Pittsburgh is a friendly city, as an international, maintaining a legal immigration status is still instrumental. For this very reason, +Sarosh Fatakia, +Albulena Krasniqi , and I met during an immigration workshop at university of Pittsburgh early 2012. Sarosh is a Scientist from India, Alb, a MBA and CPA candidate, now Ernst & Young employee to be, from Kosovo, and we soon found ourselves have a bond, through which we care for each other and support one another, especially when things didn’t go well as it now sounds to be.

We explored many neighborhoods together to make each other’s day.

Oakland is always a meet up spot, from where we start our precious time together. Squirrel Hill is the place where we dined, window shopped, Sarosh watched a lot movies and got his two pairs of glasses with a super great discount. Mount Washington is the place we had the most fun outdoor yet without spending a penny! The grand view avenue scenery, the panorama of downtown Pittsburgh from the bronze statue, and the Incline are all fun and interesting. Plus burning some healthy energy through walking is always a great satisfaction. Then we went Strip District put up some fat back without any hesitation, for those delicious Vietnam food was just irresistible.  Sou (th) Side? Yeah, that’s where I was grabbed again for some bourgeois pastime. This time it’s not for a drink, but for Cheese Factory’s dessert.

Well, it’s nice to treat yourself a piece of delicious cake in a nice environment, once a while, as if you deserve it, it helps to remind you of what you have missed, therefore regain a sense of purpose, however superficial that might be. After all, if we stay in a bathroom without ventilation for too long, we would eventually forget about how stinky it is, we get used to almost everything! But adaptability, like everything else is a double-edge sword......I am just justifying spending money when it's short.....So.... consumption at Cheese Factory is justified.  

Beer winning trivia @Squirrel Hill, Mt. Washington, Strip District, and Sou (th) Side

1. “Squirrel Hill” might be an Native Indian name. Pittsburgh officially divided this neighborhood into two, Squirrel Hill North and Squirrel Hill South. But we people only know one Squirrel Hill. Its original development in 18th century was focused on Mon riverfront. Many famous historical houses were built at that time. Mary Schenley’s grandfather James O’Hara ended up buying the third eldest house in the neighborhood built by Robert Neil at around 1787. Since 1889 Mary Schenley donated a lot property, including land and this house to the city of Pittsburgh, it’s opened for a time for the public. However, by 1969, the condition of the house was very poor that Pittsburgh Historical Landmark Foundation dismantled and rebuilt it. Now the house is only open for tours  in July during the Vintage Grand Prix.

2.  In 19th century, two major things happened that accelerated the overall development of Squirrel Hill neighborhood, the shift of focus from riverfront to the area that’s close to Oakland and Shadyside; and the operation of an electric trolley installed in 1893. The trolley line ran via Forbes Avenue and Murray Avenue to its final destination in Homestead, and was replaced by buses in 1958.

3. In 20th century, the open of Blvd of the Allies in 1927 further advanced the prosperity of Squirrel Hill due to its more convenient transportation to Downtown Pittsburgh. In 1953, Parkway and Squirrel Hill Tunnel opened, which provided easier and quicker access to surrounding neighborhoods. However, Squirrel Hill Tunnel also became many people travelling into Pittsburgh’s nightmare. Why people will subconsciously slow down BEFORE driving through the tunnel?

4. On the 27th of February in the third year of 21st century, a famous Squirrel Hill resident died. His name is Fred Rogers, the host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, a children show, in which any movement on the TV is slow compared to nowadays’ hype active Chi-WA-WA style TV shows or movies.

5. Strip District locates between Lawrenceville and Downtown Pittsburgh hugging the Allegheny River.  This parcel of land was first owned by Mary Schenley's grandfather James O'Hara and George A. Bayard.  In 1814, the pair established the area naming it "Northern Liberties of Pittsburgh."  It was more commonly known as Bayardstown.  In 1837, the area joined the city, becoming Pittsburgh's fifth ward. With its ideal location, the area soon became a thriving industrial center.  Foundries, mills, and factories moved in. One interesting saying about this neighborhood is that “Strip District has had more identities than an undercover agent.” Two blows this neighborhoods suffered in 1930s was St. Patrick’s Day Flood in 1936, and great economic depression around world world war II.

6. From Mount Washington Pittsburgh you see the grand view of man-made civilization and prosperity. From the Mount Washington New Hampshire, you would be in awe to the nature’s creation. Same name, different view, something completely to think about. Isn't it interesting?

7. South Side, local call Sou Side, has the most concentrated liquor licenses in city of Pittsburgh. SouthsideWorks is an open-air retail, office, entertainment, and residential complex located on the South Side of the city of Pittsburgh and just across the Monongahela River from the Pittsburgh Technology Center and the University of Pittsburgh. I watched a movie called Connected there during 2012 St.Patrick’s Day, followed by a group discussion led by two professors at Pitt. It’s a great occasion. I was very much amazed by how green the neighborhood can be in such an early spring gloomy day!

Your ID @ Mt. Washington

What’s the story behind the bronze statue shown in the picture (above)? To be exact what is the conversation, George Washington was having with the Seneca tribe leader Guyasuta, about?

What’s the name of local media featured an article claiming that from this statue, you would have “The Best View in Town”?

②First trip to Pittsburgh during 2009 India Day @ Schenley Plaza @ Mt. Washington

September 13, 2009. It was the first chance traveling to Pittsburgh after the rush through in the airport. Since the founder and director of the exchange study program, Dr. Raj Garg is an Indian nationality living in Pittsburgh, he initiated the trip during the India Day and promised that the group would have a great time.


The event took place at Schenley Plaza. Indian music, dance, food and laughter were ample. Many Indian families gathered. Kids were playing on the big lawn and the Merry Go Round. Parents were chattering at the tables but always keeping an eye on their boys and girls affectionately as if their eyesights can wave into a protection net to keep their children safe and happy. Young lovers picked those quiet spots in the White tent and chatted intimately as if they were each other’s whole world. Among the attendees, there were also some white, black, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese folks. Food was a big attraction, but I saw curiosity, intoxication, and veneration in their eyes also when several Indian artists were performing on the stage in the White tent. I noticed that outside the Indian event circle, other folks in the Plaza were just as charm as every Indian. Some of them were laying on the lawn reading, sitting on the bench chatting, or appreciating the beautiful reed in the garden. With the Cathedral of Learning as their background, and the Mary Schenley Memorial Fountain as their muse in the front sight, they sure had their tranquility and composure to construct their own world.

I was not confident about my spoken English at that time, so decided to spend most of the afternoon with those kids. After all kids are not judgmental and they only speak what they know and then ask questions or shut up, so they are easy to understand and they are good teachers. The Indian parents were protective but eventually didn’t make a fuss about me playing with their kids, but with one condition, no picture of their kids, in which the faces are recognizable, should be shared on social media. I agreed and promised to the parents, so kids and I got to play the Duck Duck Goose and many other games on the lawn.


When the performance was in session, I wondered what would it like to see the crowd mesmerized in the exotic Indian atmosphere from a distance. So I sneaked my way out of the tent and walked around and about. The music was even more beautiful when heard in the dark. When I was far away enough to feel a sense of bystander, I turned around facing the tent and noticed the glow of the stage against the silence and darkness around it magnified the glory of the essence of Indian culture. Like Jesus said "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." At that moment, from the distance, I felt the Indian culture every Indian holds dearly in their heart is their faith, their religion, their light of life, which gave them a sense of belonging whether they are at home or away from family. For some reason, that thought made me feel very warm and close to home again.


On the way back to Indiana, Raj asked the student driver for the school bus to take the group to check out the night view of the City. The best spot for the view is Grandview Avenue, Mt. Washington. That’s where we went. The city in the night was absolutely gorgeous. When the night falls, those architectures can only differentiate themselves through unique TOP, so those architects put different tops and light programmings on different buildings to address the issue. This is like during the day, women would want to wear different outfits to make themselves stand out from each other. Should they ever bump into someone wearing the same outfit, they would be extremely uneasy and feel a sense rivalry. I suspect this probably was the reason why a lot of woman apparel were designed to be wearable on both sides.


Beer winning trivia @ Schenley Plaza @ Mt. Washington @ Indian/Chinese/Asian Population

1. When Schenley Plaza was purchased by the City of Pittsburgh from Mary Schenley, the area was known as St. Pierre’s Ravine. Original Schenley Plaza was envisioned by the City as a grand entrance to Schenley Park. However due to Oakland’s expansion and then Forbes Field’s popularity, in 1949 the Plaza lost its park function and was officially designated to be a parking lot (In the same year, China officially realized its independence and unity. A central government led by Communist Party was founded. Chair Mao ordered to fire 28 gun salute during the National celebration ceremony in Tian An Men Square on October 1st, meaning the ordeal since the foundation of the party in 1921 was forever over. The world needed to know). The Schenley Plaza we enjoy and experience today officially started its restoration in 2004 and finished in 2006. The grand opening event was witnessed by 40,000 people. Schenley Plaza has become a center for dining, outdoor recreation, social gathering, and culture event.

2. Major Pittsburgh parks are Frick Park--has dog park, Highland Park, Riverview Park, Schenley Park, Schenley Plaza, Mellon Square, Mellon Park, Cliffside Park. The organization you can find all the information for parks is Pittsburgh Park Conservancy. They have volunteer projects as well. I once volunteered to plant flowers in the neighborhood garden in Oakland.

3. The 42-story Cathedral of Learning was commissioned in 1921 and ground was broken in 1926. The first class of University of Pittsburgh was held in the building in 1931 and its exterior finished in October 1934. It’s the tallest educational building in the Western Hemisphere and the second tallest university building in the world (the tallest is in Moscow state university’s main campus). As of 2013, there are 29 nationality rooms in the building. 27 of them are functional classrooms and the other two are displays. The national room project began in 1926. Each nationality room was designed, funded, and finished by a committee from that nationality. Pitt only provides the space and upkeep.

There might be small errors in some cultural decor. So when you visit your nationality room, be alert and critical. You may find something out of place. I found one obvious error in the two Lion statues. Traditionally a male and female lion statue were positioned by the door to protect the house. The only apparent way to differentiate the gender of those two lions was the object under one of their pawls. Stone for male lion, and baby lion for female lion. But I couldn’t find differentiation in those two lions in the Chinese nationality room.

4. Mary Schenley Memorial Fountain, also known as A Song to Nature. It’s designed by Victor Brenner after the death of Mary Schenley in 1903 during the national competition for Mary Schenley memorial championed by Edward Manning Biglow, then the director of City Park. The Memorial Fountain comprises two major figures: a reclining Pan, the Greek god of wild, shepherds, and flocks, and above him a female singer playing a Lyre. Along the fountain's rim four turtles spew water into the basin. An inscription on the pedestal reads, "A Song of Nature, Pan the Earth God Answers to the Harmony and Magic Tones Sung to the Lyre by Sweet Humanity." The basin of the fountain is 15 feet high, above which the figures rise another 15 feet.

5. Duck Duck Goose is a popular kid’s game and has different editions in different countries. In China, we call “丢手绢 diu shou juan”. In Israel, the game is called "Black Rabbit". In Turkey, "Yağ Satarım" In India,"Ghoda Chamaar Khai", In Mexico, "Chocolateado".

6. 10 Great scenic views of Pittsburgh: The West End/Elliot Overlook; The Upper Platform of Duquesne Incline; Walk the North Shore; Grandview Avenue; Point State Park; Bike Trail by Station Square; On the water; West End Bridge; 31st Street Bridge; and Liberty Bridge.

7. Based on 2012 American Community Survey 1-year estimates (U.S census bureau ), Indian population currently comprises 1% of U.S population, has about 3.05 million people. While Chinese has 1.2% share and has about 3.66 million people. Asian population has a total 5% share of U.S. population (15.56million/314 million). In Pittsburgh Metro area, among 2.4 million population, Indians have a 0.6% (about 15,000 people) share while Chinese 0.5% (12,000), Asian has a total 1.8% make-up. In the city of Pittsburgh, we have a total of 306,212 people, among which 15,299 (5%) are Asian. Indians have a total population at 4,396 making 1.4% of Pittsburgh’s overall demographic composition, while Chinese, 4,849, 1.6%. Since the total population margin of error for these two cohorts has an average of +/- 1,600, the percentage margin of error would be about +/-0.5%. The reason why the margin of error is so large is
intriguing though.


Your ID @ Schenley Plaza:

See the “WheelChair Accessible” at the Merry Go Round? What other examples can you give to explore the “Accessibility” of the City of Pittsburgh?