Since Nadia is away, what better opportunity to visit places I would go but not her. A quick search last week showed good airline deals for Louisiana and Detroit. I think I lost the Louisiana deal very quickly so it was only Detroit, for $85. But then jetcost.com took me to other agency that didn't seem to have much reputation, so my fingers were crossed. Detroit's also introduced by Scott's Cheap Flights (AKA Going), a periodic newsletter I received in my emails.
First it was cheapeticket.com, I calling (855-311-0044) to confirm my booking from jetcost.com. Nobody picked up.
Chinese areas in Detroit: Troy, Madison Heights (Vietnamese), Novi (Japanese, also seems the safest), Ann Arbor, Canton, and seemingly less popular one is Warren.
Some fun facts: Matt from church, who had lived in Ann Arbor, MI for a couple years, suggested me to visit the beautiful University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He also mentioned the fast way to cross the river border into Canada was something called the FAST Card: Which is something specific to Canada & US only. Application's $50, takes 1-8 weeks to be approved conditionally, valid for 5 years (just like another Trusted Traveler Program called NEXUS), so really not for me as I'm not going to spend $50 every 5 years just for the sake of easy entry into Canada perhaps once every 2-3 years. Turns out there were 5 TTP different prices from $50 to $122.25, all valid for 5 years. Some Credit Cards offer to pay for your TTP but they also do come with high annual fee. For example: Bank of America's Premium Rewards would pay for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry, and like Travel Rewards card, it waved foreign transaction fees, but the card itself is $95 annually.
Because Detroit is now infamous for being the most dangerous city in the States, many seemed worry. But this is just like all the news you heard in NYC and California. I think most of them at church, with a few exception, were just being sissy.
After booking the flight, I learned and set these as top priority from top to bottom:
Museums: Detroit Institute of Arts, Henry Ford Museum
Sceneries: Detroit River, Belle Isle, crossing to Windsor, Canada.
Neighborhoods: Basically as many Asian ones as I could. The Japanese town Novi is rather far 2hrs bus, so I don't know about that, unless I take 24mins Uber. But I should at least visit University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on Friday and Troy on Sunday church service, I am leaning towards selecting Chinese church, since there doesn't seem to be many reformed churches around.
Parks: Campus Martius Park (seems to be the major city park), Detroit Zoo? Sea Life Michigan Aquarium? (further than Troy from Downtown, I'll probably just pick the Zoo instead if I ever consider either)
I decided to ditch the idea of renting a car, seeing how high the crime rate in Detroit is these days. Yes, I can get paranoid too. Though Novi and Dearborn's crime rates are vast different. Therefore, no Grand Rapids tour this time. Even with Greyhound, it will take 4 hours one way (2 hrs with car) and the only good time to do this would be on Sunday, which I would have no way back to Detroit without a car for my Monday early morning flight. So, visiting my fellow URCNA and other Dutch Reformed buddies would have to be postponed. Am definitely still eager to go visit Calvin College and Joel Beeke's Heritage Reformed Congregation which also hosted Chinese Congregation under Rev. Simon Yin.
For hotels, I decided to stay close to the airport the night I arrived (8pm) on Thursday: Howard Johnson By Wyndham Romulus Detroit Metro Airport $64.25/night. Should be walking distance. The next hotel for two nights would be higher class, more secure in the middle of Detroit: The Gabriel Richard $294.10/2 nights. And the last night (Sunday) I am still contemplating sleeping at the airport (I'll know when I arrive) or find another hotel near the Airport.
I think I should bring my drone, if it fits. Spirit Airline seems strict on their free personal item size.
3/21 Thursday
It was already 3:05pm, I just about finished packing and ran and I ran to catch the 3:27pm train. Thanks to some SPG tasks. Barely made it. I could still feel some muscle sores days later, even now. I believe I took me 3:14pm - 3:26pm = 12 minutes to ran from home to the station. I don't think I would like to try that again as I was panting at the station with the arriving train.
Bought the train ticket on my iPad, some $17+ including barcode scan entrance into the airport's air train.
Flight was delayed due to panel repair since from where it came from, Orlando, Florida. By the time it took off, it's about 8pm, a whole 2 hour delay. Such delay seemed unusual according to some passengers. I had random seat 4B, which is in the middle. It was okay for 1.5 hour flight. I think the pilot tried to make it up to us from the 2 hour flight. I finally finished the movie Wildflower (2022) on flight.
In the rush, I didn't bring tooth brush kit (good thing hotels provided), my dentist's curved-tip syringe for spraying salt water into my cauterized wisdom tooth gum (#32), power bank, Samsung Galaxy Watch charger (but interestingly, I just learned that I could charge it with my Samsung Galaxy S21+ phone using something called power sharing), charging socket (I thought my laptop charger's USB port would suffice but it seemed to charge slowly so I bought $15 dual-usb port wall socket from my gate 46B's vending machine). I also didn't bring any hard drives. No big deal, I'll manage with what I have. Makes my burden lighter anyway.
To my right on the plane, sat a Detroit local, Beatrice, her name. An old black woman, who love Jesus. Probably under CL Franklin's preaching style: The black singing style preaching = Whoop Sermons. We chatted at the beginning and at the end of the flight. She certainly loved her city, Detroit. Has expensive taste too as she recommended me Andiamo and Joe Muer for food.
The plane landed at 9:40pm. I got free shuttle to the Howard Johnson Wyndham Romulus to check in at around 10:45pm. I tipped the shuttle driver $2, which is equivalent to Detroit's bus system for 4 hours. But I have yet installed the Token Transit app nor figured out the mapping system. He was nice enough to drop me at the hotel even though he technically belonged to other hotels (Holiday Inns, Clarion, etc.) as missed my HJ shuttle because was waiting in the wrong area (apparently there's a shuttle area on ground level which is accessed through the skywalk on 2nd level). Neat hotel, clean. I like it. Nadia might not, she would note the smell which I quickly forgotten, and the footsteps above us, which I could care less.
The airport was clean enough to consider my Sunday night's stay. But since HJ hotel's host was rather kind enough to give me some apple juice as well as toothbrush kit, it's worth considering staying here on Sunday, if the price will not be too bad. Minor issue, no rush to book it.
Tomorrow's free breakfast's from 5am-9am and I'm typing now at 3:24am. I would have finished at 3am had I not mistakenly refreshed this edit page and lost half of my entry. Ok, time to turn in.
3/22 Friday
(I'm writing this at the Detroit airport at 12:16AM, 3/25, so I try my best to recollect)
Breakfast around 8am. I just had some cereals and apple juice. Good enough for me as breakfast, I don't care for anything fancy, not especially it's only around $50 a night. It was snowing more than expected. But still not too bad, around 3-4 inches. left $5 tip, checked out, waited for SMART bus 261 just 2 min walk away from the hotel. Bus came around 11:30am.
Get dropped off at Dearborn Transit Center around 12:30pm, took me a while (20 mins) to walk to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in light snow. Apparently the the bus dropped me on one side of the Dearborn train station while the museum/campus (it's a huge property with a third attributed to Edison - Ford and Edison were best of buddies) is situated just right on the other side of the track, however there's no way to just cross the track as the museum side is fenced up against the train station. So I had to walk around the huge block to get to the museum. Just in time for the 1pm tour of the Factory Rouge. The Rouge, which is the only tour offered, would be $24, and the Museum itself is $30. I bought the deal for both at $42.
The tour bus drove, just me, apparently the only customer at this hour, to the main factory where the Ford trucks (F-150) are made. I definitely recommend such tour, especially for those who loves cars, mechanics. Ford is known for streamlining (every workers have their own tasks when the building blocks arrive to their specific spots on some sort of conveyor belt) the process of building cars, after observing other similar methods already used in textile factories and such. The factory's about 20 mins away from the museum, that's 40 mins roundtrip. I should have checked out earlier in the morning, as the museum closes at 5pm. But no matter, I managed to get my last minute's worth with a little speed touring of the museum after returning from the factory which I spent about 2 hours. The first two stages of the factory tour were short theatre shows. I was the only viewer for the whole two shows, felt a bit awkward because the whole rooms were meant for at least 40 people. First show was the history of Ford, second show was the process of how F-150 gets made. Third stage was the half guided tour of the manufacturing itself by walking the 4 sides of the upper alleyway looking down at the workers. 4th was a quick one for me after sensing that that I'm running out of time: a historical models of Ford's vehicles, and last stage would be introduction that F-150's battery is designed and powerful enough to power your house for a good amount of time during power outage - I wonder if this is something necessary.
After that, I did my best to briefly stroll through as complete as I could the entire museum: The Rosa Parks bus, Lincoln's chair that he was assassinated in, JFK's presidential vehicle that he was shot in, etc. There's definitely a lot of collections, Henry Ford was a hoarder, as one of the staff mentioned. But the collections from trains, to planes, to Dymaxion house, etc. were just too plentiful for a person to hoard, it's a curious question I didn't get to ask. The Mathematica exhibits are very educational as well. I think in Detroit, including the Detroit's Institute of Arts (DIA) which I visited the following day, their pedagogical displays are far superior than the ones in NYC. This would not be a one day thing. Had I lived nearby, I would go for the membership until I learned enough.
At 5pm, it was time to take the bus to the hotel in Downtown Detroit, about 40 min ride. Checked in easily at Sonder Gabriel Richard, it's all code which was emailed to me earlier. You practically don't need to interact with any hotel staff, not even the receptionists. The room is large, that's the only thing I counted worth the money. Other than that, they don't have breakfast, no amenities (tooth paste, etc.), got Gym though which I didn't check it out. So since I didn't bring my own toothpaste, and I used up the one provided (it was just a small toothpaste packet, along with tooth brush and a shave) by the previous hotel, I was recommended by the staff to buy it at a nearby grocery (Eve's). I tried both of the famous Lafayette Brothers' Coney Dogs and learned later from the second restaurant that theirs' the real authentic family owned one (which is the larger restaurant that sits in the corner street) while the adjacent restaurant split with them about 8 years ago and is owned by the "workers", which I assumed used to work for them. The taste? I couldn't tell much different between the two restaurants, except that the "workers" served blender taste, but not noticeable. Not salty enough if I were to be really picky. Oh, I did, in between these two restaurants, walk around the neighborhood, mainly Hart Plaza, where I briefly flow my drone, as one of the 3 (Roosevelt Park, Hart Plaza & Windmill Point) suggested locations to fly drone. Belle Isle was also one of the suggested place by another site.
After that, it's about time to sleep.
3/23 Saturday
Was ready in the morning at 9am for Ron Choong's monthly (I didn't get to attend every month) talk on his book. I do enjoy it, except for the part where he decided to part from orthodox revelation. His take's always in the study of "from man to God", not "from God to man". Man study God, not God revealed to man, to make long story short. However, this talk took 2 hours. So again, I only had 4 hours (1-5pm) to tour the DIA museum, via the Q-line, which is free. I think I love it more than New York's MET, perhaps because of the tons of Christian themed paintings. I believe I took every photo of them that mattered. I started the museum at 1pm because I had to have my lunch, Indian restaurant called Small World Kitchen: Lamb curry + lentil soup = $20. Since I cannot regret attending Ron Choong's discussion, the only thing I regretted was not trying to sleep earlier and wake up earlier to check out the city before Ron Choong's thing at 9am. I might have had brunch.
After the museum, there really weren't much for me to do. Like Boston and many other U.S. towns, businesses don't like to hang around after 5pm. I then learned and research in my hotel room that Detroit inherited lots of gothic style cathedrals, though I don't think they do well, they are not as open as New York cathedrals. So in the end, I didn't get much chance to see all these alleged beauties. Only a couple, the next day. The ones I visited I took more photos and saved myself a google map notes on them. Then I went out to the grocer again to buy a set of 6 American type Ramen and a small can of oiled sardines. It's like Madison Ave, there's no cheap restaurants in downtown. Did I also say they love to close shops early.
But after cooking 2 packs of ramen and half sardine (I finished the other half the next day) this night, I was done with ramen, thought I could try it in the following morning, but I've had enough of it. Though now I am hungry for it again, as I am typing this in the airport 3/25 1:34am. So I left the 4 ramen in the hotel room when I checked out, with $5 tips, would have given 2 days' worth ($10) had they made my room after the first night.
I slept late again. Due to trying to find a good church. So hard to find good ones, even the CRC (https://firstcrcdetroit.churchcenter.com/home) seemed liberal to me after learning that they were looking for pastor as their former one moved to Grand Rapids. I think there's more to the story as to why he left. Versus gender, liberal issues? I ended up deciding not to go to the Redeemer Presbyterian Church, which seems to be in an attractive church building like other traditional cathedrals.
3/24 Sunday
So, due to timing, I decided not to go to any church service. Not even going to go Troy, which I read was populated with Chinese and their restaurants. But I had originally planed to attend a Chinese church in Troy. It's just too far.
The reason I had to do this was so that I could experience crossing the Detroit - Windsor border via the Tunnel Bus. $10 each way. While waiting for the Tunnel Bus, which was scheduled for 11:41am, I learned that the monorail in Detroit is free (posters said that it's free through 2024, so I'm not sure about 2025)! Just like the Q-Line. The monorail is called The People Mover, or TPM. The monorail basically goes in circle (counter-clockwise) around the downtown area, which takes about 18 mins for a loop. Just type in monorail in google map and all stations will appear on the map. Like crossing from Malaysia to Thailand, it's the same thing here with the bus. After crossing the border, the bus driver wanted for all of us to get interviewed by custom and continued to take us to designated stations. Getting into Canada was easy, getting into the States, there were more of us, about 15+ and I was queued up in the middle, yet I was the last one returning to the bus. I wonder why. They did try to confirm that I crossed Canada before.
On the Canadian side, there's nothing much. Couldn't even really find much restaurants, it was as if many of them close on Sundays. So after taking some Detroit views from the Canadian side, I quickly rushed to the bus stop at 1pm. So I only spent about 1 hour in Canada. Just for the experience. When I went into Canada, the custom only wanted my greencard, and not my passport. No hassle going into Canada. Another story if it's the other way around. But generally, no passport needed either way at the time.
Since I couldn't find a good Chinese restaurant nearby (as if they only exist on Troy or Ann Arbor, etc.), I looked for another Indian restaurant: Charminar Express. Goat Biryani and Mango Lassi, around $18 total. The unlimited Indian tea, which is very good, was complimentary. I used their seating to charge my laptop and phone. It seems that the 3-in-1 charging cable I bought from TEMU doesn't really work with as a fast charger. My Beats Studio Buds wouldn't even recognize the charge from this cable.
Then I looked at Detroit's Main Library which some staff from the Ford Museum recommended. Couldn't find any picture-worthy thing in it, was told that the part that everyone loves taking photo is being sealed off due to elevator repair. I read about this complaints online before, not sure what that's all about.
After the library, I was tired of waiting for the bus, finally, a good time to put the MOGO Bike Share account to good use. $15 for 3 days (Explore the City plan), seems to be the same deal as the monthly (also $15) so I don't know what that's all about, perhaps it's auto-renewal billing. But I do believe it's worth it, if I had 3 days to use it. I rode to Motown Museum. I already knew that it's impossible to book a tour if it wasn't booked a few days in advanced online, but I just wanted to know what's all the fuzz is about. Clearly everyone loved it. Some black music record studio history. At the DIA, there was also an exhibit on black history: movies, music and art. I did find it interesting and would love to look them up, both music and movies. These were oldies, classics, not some modern garbage. I only, as planned, visited the gift shop of Motown Museum so that I could ask what to buy as documentary material: Bought Motown From the Other Side, signed by author Frances (Fran Heard) Maclin, $34, so that I could also get the recommended free book "To be Loved" by Berry Gordy. Of course, I told myself the autograph was the worth of it...otherwise, you can order online for less than $10 for both books. I also felt bad for just asking for answers without buying anything.
My final destination in Detroit is Belle Isle. Great island, it's like Central Park as an island (no mounts) situated between Detroit and Canada, cars go in and out even at night for the views, lots of picnic areas. There's a aquarium, greenhouse and other interesting looking buildings that were closed by the time I got there. Went there by MOGO bikes. The last bike was an electric one (paddle assist), rode around half the island, so much better than just paddling. Flew my drone (in a big fountain like monument on the far West side of the isle. before sunset and quickly rushed out of the island to take the #9 bus and then the 261 bus to the airport at around 9:17pm. I think the bike ride in the cold gave my legs cramps. Particularly the left thigh as I had to sit down to rub my thigh after arriving at the airport bus station, couldn't walk at first without the cramp pain. It got better after about 5 minutes or so, I practically was limping my way into the airport. Both legs are quite normal now as I type this.
Once in the airport, apparently there's North (Evans) and South (McNamara) and these two terminals aren't connected. The 261 bus stopped at both, with the North being the last stop, which I already knew was my stop. Went through security check point to avoid any later hassle because it seems that sleeping inside is safer than outside, even though there's other ideas online about it, as well as McNamara suggested as a better choice for sleepover. Also, it's so quiet, I was the only one through the check point, I just couldn't resist. Beats later if there's a long line. There's a "playground" room near gate D16, it's the only room with a decent flat cushioned seating without armrests for comfort sleep. I did try it as other times were usually used by someone else. I slept for about an hour 2am-3am, but my throat dried up and I coughed my way out of that room and finally finished my diary here. It's so quiet at these hours in this airport (North side). Only a few people doing sleepover in various ways (sleeping on the carpet flooring, joining armrest chairs face to face for better lying, simply sit-sleeping, etc.)
What I've learned in Detroit:
Great city of architect. Seems to be safer, people are nicer than NYC. Black culture very different than New York. Even though they might still be Democrats in majority.
It would be wise to combine the use of free Q-Line (running north & south of downtown), around downtown for free: DPM (free monorail, if it's still free after 2024), $2/4hr or $5/24hr Token Transit for DDOT/SMART buses.
The $15 for 3 day MOGO bike share is not bad as there's plenty of bike stations in the city. Each usage of a bike should not exceed 60 minutes or there will be extra charge, but the number of bike exchanges is unlimited. March is cold, I had to wear gloves, but unfortunately, I did not bring long johns.
The E-scooter (LIME / BIRD) is optional, I was interested, but have not tried it. Keyword would be electrical, no need to paddle like the bike. Although there are a few, very few, e-bike, and that truly was some energy saver. The bike beats waiting for buses, but depending on distance.
Should I have another chance at Detroit, Windsor really wouldn't be my destination, but DIA again anytime, Motown Museum maybe, FORD Museum certainly. I would also attempt to visit some churches again for architecture interest. I barely had enough day-time spent for Detroit Riverfront park, but the whole river front was definitely scenic, when the day is bright. Of course, I would also visit Ann Arbor (University of Michigan) and Troy, Novi too.