45 minutes in Detroit

A couple days ago, my family decided to skip the snow and cold of upstate Michigan to go visit relatives in downstate Michigan. Naturally, we drove down only to find that the lower part of the state was being hit by a huge blizzard, so the first part of that plan didn't work out so well. However, it was nice to see aunts, uncles, and cousins, and the best part was that we got to visit Detroit briefly, to eat lunch and see the Detroit Institute of Art. 

Detroit is still the largest city in Michigan, but it's a study in desolation and destitution; the population has shrunk by about half, and it's mostly a maze of torn-down or abandoned buildings and ruined neighborhoods. There is a small section of the downtown that is still relatively vibrant, but there are even more parts that look post-apocalyptic. It's hard to escape the fact that it's a violent, poverty-stricken city, haunted by the ghost of former glory. I wish I had pictures of some of the huge, grand old buildings that have been left to crumble, or of the huge empty lots where even more used to stand, but alas, it was only a short visit. We did, however, get the chance to walk around downtown Detroit, where I decided to practice some street photography. It's a style that's still very unfamiliar to me, but it's also really, really fun to do.

Morgan waiting impatiently

The city had set up an ice rink in the city center, where people could rent skates and go around the rink a couple of times. It was met with great enthusiasm.

The Detroit Renaissance Center, also GM headquarters. Apparently the largest all-hotel skyscraper in the western hemisphere... It's a striking contrast to the city it overlooks.

This is Papa Smurf... He's a homeless man who's somewhat of a well-known character in Detroit. He has his own facebook fan page, and it seems he's known for greeting rock bands touring the city, and guarding their luggage and equipment for a small fee.

The bike he rides is called the "Silver Surfer".

When Papa Smurf learned I was a photographer, he eagerly brought us to a back alley a couple of blocks away, where there was a very impressive mural of the cast of The Avengers.

For some reason, whenever I visit cities I constantly find reasons to reaffirm my faith in humanity.