Post 3. Looking for America: Detroit, Michigan August 2021

Part 1 Ann Arbor and Dearborn, Michigan.
Michigan, nous voila!
On the way to Detroit, first a stop in Ann Arbor. Beautiful 19th century campus of the Oxford-style University of Michigan reveals the grandeur of American college campuses. We also enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Susan's longtime favorite--and one and only--Zingermans world class delicatessen!
The grandeur of American college campuses…
With Susan's favorite Zingerman's delicatessen right on the corner

Dearborn, Michigan, Henry Ford's town! The Borés enjoyed Greenfield Village where Henry Ford and his foundation have transplanted numerous iconic homes, businesses and artifacts from across the United States. We visited the actual home of Orville and Wilbur Wright as well as their successful bicycle shop, toured the Menlo Park laboratory where Edison invented the light bulb and laid eyes on his actual tools, walked through Robert Frost's home, and much more. We rode in a Model T, boarded the famous bus where Rosa Parks changed America, and saw the 1961 Lincoln Continental that President Kennedy was in when he was assassinated. A great surprise was seeing a 1971 Honda 750CB motorcycle--identical to Henri's 1975 version.
The Model T, second to none!
Riding with the spirit of Rosa Parks in the Henry Ford Museum
Eloise learned about American. history by seeing Presidential cars from Teddy Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan.  We also tested our math and science...

Part 2 of Michigan, Detroit

Detroit is both a depressing and an amazing place. On the depressing side: 

1. Gone the voices of Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson: RIP Motown music style! 

2. The entire area conveys the sad reminiscences of the former great motor city (though there are glimmers of pride and progress to regain greatness in the very competitive market of producing cars and trucks). Detroit, which used to be America's third largest city, has lost 60% of its population in the past 40 years. 

3. The decayed close-in. suburbs sadly look like some shanty towns in Nairobi or Johannesburg


On the amazing side:
1. The trendy Cavalier Square district in downtown that embraces many wonders of the early 20th century Art Déco architecture
2. The cosmopolitan crowd of a new generation of creative artists, businessmen and entrepreneurs who do their best to revive Detroit
The colorful Greek town
3. The Detroit Institute of Arts with numerous interesting exhibits including Diego Riviera’s magnificent Detroit Industry Murals (painted on frescoes in the museum between 1932-33 (he lost 100 pounds while painting them) which juxtaposes the advancements brought on by science and technology against the harshness and destructiveness it also generates. It struck us a parody of the progress happening in Detroit--and not just us--many residents of Detroit wanted it torn down after its unveiling. It's a masterpiece.

4. The Eastern Market and its colorful gathering of the bounty of Michigan in late summer. 
5. The beautiful nature of the island of Belle Isle facing downtown in the middle of the Detroit river. 
P.S. The height of awkwardness in Detroit? Driving our Hyundai car...












 

























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