And well, since you gave so much feedback, I thought it would be a shame to not update you. Because I have just arrived to Detroit! Although, the conditions are a bit different. I am no longer staying in the suburbs, but I’ve actually got an apartment at the Wayne State University Campus. Also, the essay topic has been changed - I am now doing a project on the medicaid system. Also, it probably won’t be three months, but rather two - so I’ll leave somewhere around the middle of january.
I have been here for about two days now. I have actually been invited over for thanksgiving by an Internet friend, so I’ll get to know your holiday first-hand!
I am dying to get to explore more of what Detroit has to offer, though it’s a bit difficult without access to a car. I’ll do research on the bus system and see if I can get myself around.
The people here have been very nice and friendly to me. It’s usually the kind of friendliness hat you have to earn, where I am from.
Welcome to the States! The thing you need to remember about Thanksgiving is that it is a huge honking meal. You will be expected to eat and eat and eat and then go eat dessert.
Awesome, I was wondering if you had arrived yet. Great to hear you’ve got your Thanksgiving all set up, I thought of inviting you but realized that since my holiday involves driving 250 miles to my parents place and staying the weekend, might be a bit much.
We’re friendly? Hurray for lowered expectations.
Remember the airport, and how long it took to get to your new place? I live very near that airport, so that’s how far away I am. When we finally get a dopefest organized, I’d be happy to help out with transportation.
Oh, that’s not what I meant. You have to remember that I am of Scandinavian stock - I am used to a culture of reservation and inner dialogue. Here in Detroit, complete strangers have asked me how I am and wished me happy holidays, they also talk to me in the elevator. It’s something I am not used to. Not saying that Swedes are unfriendly, it’s just another school of approaching people.
So, what about my plans then? Well, I want to see the must-sees of Detroit, of course, including the Motown museum and downtown business area. I am not quite sure how to do this, but I’ll arrange it somehow. I also plan a weekend in Chicago and maybe a day trip to Canada. Also, a doper meeting would be really cool! I hope you will excuse my accent.
I like you, you’re silly.
Ah, CW I guess I just meant I’m happy to hear you’re getting friendly greetings rather than dodging random gunshots, like some folks warned you about. And don’t worry, we adore accents!
Okay, well LOUNE might not, but us female types generally like them.
Absolutely. I suspect most people here will be busy around thanksgiving, but possibly the week after that?
By the way, could you help me get an understanding on how I could get myself around? I’m thinking especially in terms of getting to and from campus to downtown by bus.
I expect to meet you at Put-in- Bay this summer. I’ll have to take you.
Detroit isn’t that bad, you can find good and bad wherever you go, but it is a general axiom that friendly outweighs hostility.
We are a friendly curious lot. You should find novelty.
Be sure and check out Detroit’s Thanksgiving Day parade (http://theparade.org/) next week. Either on TV, or better yet, the route isn’t far from the Wayne State campus, you could take a cab there or something.
It sounds like you are housed less than one mile from where I work every day.
Enjoy Thanksgiving! I’m glad you are liking it here. Michigan is a beautiful state. When you get a chance you really should try to get out in the country to a state park or something. We have beautiful trees.
My name is Queen Tonya and I’ve…umm, well I’ve never used our bus system. I have absolutely no advice for you, so yeah, good luck with that!
We saw the body exhibit, very cool. Rather put us off white meat for a while, watch out for that. Don’t forget to check out the rest of the museum while you’re there, very neat stuff to play with, especially in the lower level.
We could do Ann Arbor for festing again, maybe? Olives? LOUNE? Figaro? Gfactor? Fiveroptic? Si Amigo? Shirley Ujest? Heller Highwater? Kozmik? cmyk? Happy Lendervedder? ASAKMOTSD? MadTheSwine? Great Dave? Alistair McCello? Athena? Captain C? gonzomax? Here’s hoping we’re a vanity-searching bunch.
Any other MI dopers I forgot? I’m sure there are, so let me apologize in advance.
You CAN get around most of the metro area using DDOT & SMART Bus systems. I learned to utilize the available public transit when no other options were available to me. It’s seldom convenient, but with planning can be effective. Here are the links to the City & Suburban Systems:
Be sure to check out Eastern Market before it closes for the season (soon!)
Don’t let the paranoid suburbanites frighten you. Use your head, behave intelligently. I lived at Warren & Livernois (“troubled” neighborhood) for a spell about 4 years ago, and I had no bad experiences. The city of Detroit has many (although some are tarnished) treasures that are NOT located in FoxTown. Check 'em out.
