It wasn’t exactly what I would call a change for the better, but it was during the Great Peace March in 1986 where I visted many cities in the US, Pittsburgh being one of my least favorite. I don’t know if it was due to the fact that I ended up taking the earliest form of Esctasy (prescription strength) or perhaps it was my overstaying my welcome and missing some great events in Peace March history.

Twenty years can change a city considerably, but my memories of Pittsburgh were of the shut-down factories, the disshevled neighborhoods and the one good food co-op that I stopped at one day. These images stay fresh in my mind to this day. I’m quite certain that major improvements were committed against old neighborhoods which pushed out many poor and underprivileged ordinary folks.

If you think I’m not being fair, I do have one wonderful memory of Pittsburgh: it was the first place where I enjoyed a bottle of Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout, which is a much smoother brew than Guinness ever hoped to be. I believe it was at Primaneti Brothers Sandwich Shop where I enjoyed that divine nectar. Oh, and I did enjoy my very first sushi in Pittsburgh, thanks to Phineus…wherever you are.