Rusty was flying out to California last Friday so Kevin and I decided that since we were dropping him off at the airport it would be a good day for me to see The D!
We got up really early and left Manchester around 6:30 in the morning. It was a foggy morning, the cars windshield kept fogging up and the temperature outside was in the low 50s. Rusty is a real gentleman and would not let me ride in the back seat, guests are always up front. Somebody raised him properly!
As we were getting closer to Detroit I started noticing hints of what this city has been known for and that's the car industry.
This giant tire is on the side of highway I94 heading into Detroit.
Our first order of business was to drop Rusty off at Detroit Metro Airport. After that we headed for Deerborn, MI where we had to go and get some middle eastern pastries. Shatila bakery comes highly recommended and when we walked in I could see why.
It was a feast for the eyes. Sweets were everywhere and we took a selection with us back home.
After the bakery we headed downtown to see the inside of The Guardian Building. To say that the tile work and painting on the walls and ceilings was absolutely beautiful is an understatement. My jaw dropped when I looked at the detail and intricacies of it all.
I saw this young musician from across the lobby and as we walked around I had the opportunity to meet him inside the gift shop. I apologize for not remembering many names in my journey but I have never had much success in this compartment of my brain. I hope that if they see this posting they leave a comment so that I can thank them for the wonderful memories they have given me.
After this we walked downtown for a bit before heading over to Belle Isle. I have always heard of how rundown and dirty Detroit is. I did get to see this part of it downtown and its outskirts......
But I also got to see its old beauty and all of the renovations taking place. When I see a rundown antique building I don't see trash but rather an opportunity to bring something back to its former glory and that's what Detroit looks like to me.
A vibrant city that's coming alive with the wise minds from its experienced workforce and the creativity of its youth!
After enjoying downtown for a while we then headed a few miles north along the Detroit River to Belle Isle. Belle Isle is an island in the middle of the river belonging to the USA
From Belle Isle you can see the United States of America to the South and Canada to the North.
As we were looking for parking we noticed a large group of people over by a pavilion having a good time, listening to music being played by a disk jockey, people dancing and others playing volleyball. We finally found parking and as we were walking by this group of people we asked what was the occasion. They were having a company picnic for the employees. I walked over to the group of ladies and started dancing the NayNay dance. I had never danced this and they were happy to show me. I hope you can view the video my friend Kevin shot with my iPhone.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FIDl60rEzfA
My philosophy these days is to never limit myself and just jump in and enjoy life every single day!
We then walked over to the aquarium and gardens. Just beautiful!
After this we were ready to eat some lunch so we headed back to downtown. There are many large scale pieces of art throughout the city.
We enjoyed eating at the American Coney Island restaurant and the people watching is quite entertaining. The hustle and bustle of a large city comes alive at midday when many are running out to grab a quick bite to eat or are in the city to conduct business or as in my case, just visiting another beautiful city.
Kevin was telling me about a neighborhood that had really fallen on bad times. Many of the homes had been abandoned and crime ridden. Some of them, many of them had been burned down and was a big headache for the city. An artist by the name of Tyree Guiyton had started doing something out of the norm. He started creating art with discarded items. He started decorating some of these burnt homes, painting polka dots on others, doing anything he could to beautify them in his own way. The project is known as the Heidelberg Project.
The project is known worldwide now and as we were there many visitors in fancy cars, normal cars and even members of the United States Paralympic Team were there.
It wouldn't be a proper visit to Detroit if I didn't visit Hitsville USA, the home of where it all started for Motown.
I really need to thank Kevin for taking me to see this piece of history.
They have many items that have made history on display inside such as Michael Jacksons sequined glove and the hat he wore when he first did the moonwalk.
This all started on one street now renamed Berry Gordy Jr Blvd
As if this wasn't enough we had to take a break and enjoy some coffee so we headed towards the Detroit Institute of Arts. But no matter where you're at the "art" follows you!
But back to the serious business of enjoying all that Detroit has to offer. We met up with Daniel, that shifty looking guy in the background, a long time friend of Kevin's.
We enjoyed listening to Antonia Bennet for a while.....
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kLREZrNE8hQ
And then some artwork.
We ended the day by having dinner with another friend of Kevin's, and now mine hopefully! Thank you for dinner Wayne, it was delicious and I'm glad to have met your beautiful family. His wife Julie and daughters Danielle and Claire were a hoot. I told Danielle I would do a Migueling picture of her with her face cream on and she didn't believe me. I got the picture but I won't post it publicly, she's beautiful no matter what and I will send it to her if she wants it! Hahahahaha
Thank you for the adventures today Kevin. You gave me many more memories that will be cherished for a long time.
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