Published on Jan, 2025
George brought us on a wondrous tour of Pittsburgh's Steel Valley and explained its critical impact on the world. Even though there was very little physical evidence left to see of the huge steel industry once there, George brought it all to life - you could almost see the hellish smoke-filled landscape and hear the thundering presses as iron ingots were shaped into everything needed to fuel the industrial revolution! His way of teaching is interacting back and forth with trivia, Q&A, special interests, song (yes song!), humour and huge pride in the legacy of his city and his family.
The tour was intense without a dull moment! It covered history, geography, social impact, local politics, world stage consequences and everything in between! We learned so much about American history and how a way was finally forged to 'Go West Young Man!'.
We were only there for a weekend and decided to take his city tour as well the following day. This tour was equally good (which is saying something!). There was no duplication. We saw Pittsburgh from the top of the funicular train ride (what a sight to behold!) and from the banks of the three rivers below (George will explain more about that!). We learned about sporting heroes, company-run townships, soaring stained glass cathedral architecture and some of the not-so-great architectural experiments! We travelled from old to new - appreciating the journey this city has made from its gritty, necessary, resource-rich entrepreneurial beginnings to its high tech-embraced future of tomorrow.
George described the true characteristics of what makes a 'Yinzer' - a Pittsburgher. He calls it the 6 Cs. We have another to add for George - Charisma! He has it in spades - a gritty, witty character with a heart bigger than his city!
Thank you George and wishing you tons of fun for 2025 and beyond!
Chris and Órla
