Weekend in Detroit

Last Saturday I was in Detroit to work at Creekside's bike tour fundraiser.  It was a great day because my coworker Rachel and I also made it to two farmers' markets (one in Ypsilanti-a city just outside of Ann Arbor-and the other in Detroit).  She purchased a peck of apples (which is a quarter of a bushel, in case you were wondering) and I got some grape tomatoes, potatoes, and little squash.  We also split an amazing sweet potato pie and 7-up pound cake.  It was fabulous.  After working at the bike tour, Rachel, Sam (another coworker) and I went on a community walk and passed out Creekside information to residents for a few hours.  Then we headed downtown for my first real introduction to the city.  Above is a picture of the GM Renaissance Center which was pretty sweet.  It's a bit tricky to navigate on the inside but it has some interesting architecture, stores, and restaurants on the inside, as well as a hotel!  It's situated on the Detroit River, directly across from Windsor, Canada.

We took the Detroit People Mover to the riverfront.  It was my first experience on a public rail since Europe.  I can't say it was as efficient as the ones I experienced abroad but it definitely lives up to its name!  The rail is elevated well above street level so we got a pretty good view of the buildings.  It snaked around Greektown, one of the most popular parts of the city, and would have eventually looped us back to the beginning (exemplifying how this mode of transportation isn't the most efficient or convenient way

 to get around).  

My favorite stop was at the Labor Legacy Landmark.  It's a gigantic vertical ring with a base of solidarity quotes from famous labor organizers and other activists.  Behind the ring is another shot of the Ren Center.

All in all, the day was tons of fun.  I knew lots of readings, projects, and other work was waiting for me in Ann Arbor but the day made me excited to spend more time in Detroit during this next year.  I am also hoping to find an apartment to sublet downtown during the summer so I can cut my commute time during my days in field.  

Tomorrow starts another busy week.  I'm excited to get through it as quickly as possible because I'm going home next weekend for fall break!  I'll be in Germantown for my sister's birthday weekend and then visit Madison for a few days.  More to come later!