Downtown Motown

Here's a shot of downtown Detroit, Michigan. Even after it's demise of the late 60's, early 70's, it is still a great place. Mostly, I have spent time in the Mexicantown, South-West Detroit and Dearborn area. East Dearborn boasts a very high population of people from the Middle East. The effect is felt in Windsor, Ontario, which also seems to have a large Middle East community.

Chicken shawarma's are a favourite of mine and I did enjoy one after taking these photo's.

The Superbowl is coming next weekend so it is expected that there won't be a hotel room available. Even in Windsor the going rate seems to be 300 bucks or more per night for a minimum of three nights. Of course what it really means is that the Ambassador Bridge will be a time consuming ordeal because of the influx of out of towners. It will be interesting to meet some people at the hotel.

I do enjoy my brief visits to downtown Detroit. There are some wonderfully designed and built homes left over from the glory days. However I'm not that comfortable wandering around downtown, I don't spend enough time there to know it.

I don't have anything negative to say about America or Americans. Canada as a whole has profited nicely from our friendship with our friends and neighbours south of the border. The American economic model has been extremely generous to Canada. And thank goodness the US has a large army to help protect Canadian sovereignty. I guess Canada doesn't have much in the way national defense forces. That's just the way it is.

This evening I was able to get to mass. Although I am not particularly a believer, in general I like Catholicism. What I do enjoy at mass is the peacefulness, the sermons. There is an appealing atmosphere of community, of belonging. A number of parishes will be closing in the next few years.

Ther are a number of medical and educational institutions in this area that were initially started by the Sisters of St. Joseph in the 1800's. Although the Sister's and the church have very little to do with actively running these organisations any more, their contributions over the last 150 years have been many. Many of the individuals that worked in these past organisations were women, and their work was given freely, unpaid for. True in those days, both men and women in the church worked for free.

Jean Vanier will be in London next week. I hold him in as high esteem as I hold Dr. David Suzuki. Mr. Vanier will spend a good part of his time here with some young peoples' groups, among other engagements. His life and times are an incredible example and inspiration. Mr. Vanier is now 78 years old, so this could well be his last visit to this area. Myself and many others hope this is not the case. His compelling life has helped many, for that we can be grateful. Certainly his work is on a par with Mother Teresa. The unfortunate thing is that eventually we lose our trailblazer's. We have to remember that their work goes on, the good they accomplish with their time on earth continues after they depart. Of course the deeply appreciated are always missed.

Onulun pika umnida. It rained a lot. It's been a great day again. I wish you peace and happiness. Ciao.

Remember to click on the image to see the larger version. http://flickr.com/photos/mike_55/92609790/