Squirrel Hill

By riding pretty much any of the 61 buses, you can take a trip to the unique area of Squirrel Hill. Surrounded by trees and quaint little shops, the predominately Jewish area is scattered with new and old businesses alike.  We took a walk down Murray Avenue and passed an older looking movie theater that was playing some lesser known movies that were just released, such as The Skeleton Twins starring Kristen Wigg and Bill Hader.  Farther down the street, we passed a newer Giant Eagle and Eat n' Park. I really enjoyed that the history of this area could coincide with the modern businesses of today, and, in fact, seem to accent and diversify the people and atmosphere present there.

                  

After going to the end of Murray and coming back to the top, we took a detour and headed up one of the side streets to take a look at the houses.  The first characteristic to strike me was the amount of green and trees you could see all along the sidewalk and in people's front yards. It was beautiful and very calming.  In addition, the houses were as diverse and they come.  You had older, more worn houses right next to more modernized, renovated houses, and they all seemed to be in harmony with each other.  The "nicer" houses didn't seem to stick out from the average ones; each house just had its own space on the street and gave off an aura of individuality.
        

 

As we reached the end of the street and turned onto the next one over, we came across a few Jewish educational buildings. The architecture and surrounding landscape was once again green and natural. They had winding walkways up the door and cottage looking exteriors.

Our final stop of the day was lunch at Waffalonia, a hole-in-the-wall sugar waffle shop on Murray Avenue. The local business has an additional location in Oakland right next to the Porch by the Hillman Library, but its original location was right there in Squirrel Hill. I had been there once before and insisted we go there for lunch.  As you walk in, the menu on the wall, consisting of only waffles, looks like a train departure and arrival board, and the smell of the dough is all throughout the shop.  I ordered a waffle with strawberries, bananas, and whipped cream on top, and there was silence as we all savored our dessert waffles.  The worker there was super friendly, and the service was quick and delicious! The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, since the one room shop is very small and simple.  They even have Knorks to eat your waffle on the go!

             
Overall, the trip was a visual, stimulating adventure, and I definitely plan on visiting again soon.  One of my favorite Vietnamese noodle bowl restaurants, Tan Lac Vien, is located right in the heart of Murray Avenue as well (go check it out!).  As we boarded the bus to head back to Oakland, I spotted a clock with Hebrew writing on it, reminding me that although the area is now a mix of modern and historical, the Jewish history will continue to influence Squirrel Hill wherever you happen to look.