The scene: Pittsburgh, February 2007. My old friend Andrew is at medical school at the University of Pittsburgh and I had heard legendary things about the abundance of cheap, awesome food and cheap, halfway-decent beer in P-town. So off we went for a quick weekend jaunt where I learned that it is true: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is Allegheny County’s biggest employer because every meal you can find there does cause heart failure. Pittsburgh is an excellent place to spend a weekend; go if you like great ethnic food (Italian, Polish, Czech) and a cheap drink.

Did you know that Venice is the only city in the world with more bridges than Pittsburgh? Me either. Bridges outside the Warhol Museum (which you MUST check out if you are ever in town):

A vendor in the Strip District (oh, and Andrew’s back):

The Heinz Factory, where the 57 flavors were born:

Bundled up and looking down at the Monongahela River (which converges with the Allegheny to form the Ohio River, hence Pittsburgh is the city of three rivers. However you describe it, it was really f***ing cold):