Map of North-East USA
Wednesday, 15 August 2007
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
Brief outline of events from Monday to Wednesday - Flint and Detroit
Monday 6th August
Sloan Museum - We visited Flint's Cultural Center and the Sloan Museum. The Sloan contains exhibits documenting the history of the area; its native American days, the lumber trade and the development of the automobile industry. Unfortunately, the state has been hard hit by a falling demand for locally made cars (apparently, more people are now buying into non-American products).
Buick Gallery and Research Center - A large collection of vintage American vehicles and cars with bonnets as long the Nile. Gareth, I have photos that will drive you wild.
Cody's Friends - Monday evening we met up with one of Cody's closest school friends at a local bar in Flushing (I had Guinness - what else). Kyle is looking to train as a social worker in the Flint area and I could certainly see why he and Cody click. I was also encouraged to talk at length about England, which I'm always happy to do, and Kyle is now working on his Mancunian accent (oh boy!). If he's looking for a challenge I'll have to introduce him to the Geordies!!!
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Tuesday 7th August
We got off to a slightly later start than hoped for but we eventually decided that we would take a trip across to Detroit to see one or two museums, although we weren't certain which one we'd visit first; the decision was made for us when we got off the freeway and found ourselves closest to the Motown Museum. The museum is contained within two houses, where many of the Motown label records were recorded. It was a relatively short tour but with some interesting artifacts along the way. "The" white glove and hat worn by Michael Jackson were displayed in a secure glass container (after some smart Alec had stolen them, signed the guest register on the way out and returned with the item after a reward was offered). I found myself in an embarrassing predicament when I semi-volunteered to be one of The Supremes and was then asked to sing and dance, at which point it dawned on me that I do not possess the ability to sing AND dance (given that I do not possess the skill to do either of these in isolation with any real pizazz) at the same time.
Once we had finished at the Motown Centre we were low on time for visiting another museum, so Cody gave me a drive-through tour of downtown Detroit. I loved the skyline of the city and on reaching the Renaissance Centre Cody pointed out a white building, not more than a couple of miles away I'm guessing, on Canadian soil - in fact we drove right past the "Tunnel to Canada".
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Wednesday 8th August
Back to Detroit. Say, 2 hour drive. This time we pulled up at the Henry Ford Museum. The complex is hu
ge, which forced us to make a choice between the exhibits centre and Greenfield Village; we chose the exhibits, due to the roasting heat outside and the refreshing air con inside. In fact, the air conditioning was so efficient that I had goose pimples by the end of the visit. There was so much to see in the museum that it's difficult to write about it all but we stood next to the JFK car, took a seat on the Rosa Parks bus (on the seat behind Rosa Parks) and, last but by no means least, posed next to a Wiener van.
Sloan Museum - We visited Flint's Cultural Center and the Sloan Museum. The Sloan contains exhibits documenting the history of the area; its native American days, the lumber trade and the development of the automobile industry. Unfortunately, the state has been hard hit by a falling demand for locally made cars (apparently, more people are now buying into non-American products).
Buick Gallery and Research Center - A large collection of vintage American vehicles and cars with bonnets as long the Nile. Gareth, I have photos that will drive you wild.
Cody's Friends - Monday evening we met up with one of Cody's closest school friends at a local bar in Flushing (I had Guinness - what else). Kyle is looking to train as a social worker in the Flint area and I could certainly see why he and Cody click. I was also encouraged to talk at length about England, which I'm always happy to do, and Kyle is now working on his Mancunian accent (oh boy!). If he's looking for a challenge I'll have to introduce him to the Geordies!!!
____________________________________________________________________
Tuesday 7th August
We got off to a slightly later start than hoped for but we eventually decided that we would take a trip across to Detroit to see one or two museums, although we weren't certain which one we'd visit first; the decision was made for us when we got off the freeway and found ourselves closest to the Motown Museum. The museum is contained within two houses, where many of the Motown label records were recorded. It was a relatively short tour but with some interesting artifacts along the way. "The" white glove and hat worn by Michael Jackson were displayed in a secure glass container (after some smart Alec had stolen them, signed the guest register on the way out and returned with the item after a reward was offered). I found myself in an embarrassing predicament when I semi-volunteered to be one of The Supremes and was then asked to sing and dance, at which point it dawned on me that I do not possess the ability to sing AND dance (given that I do not possess the skill to do either of these in isolation with any real pizazz) at the same time.
Once we had finished at the Motown Centre we were low on time for visiting another museum, so Cody gave me a drive-through tour of downtown Detroit. I loved the skyline of the city and on reaching the Renaissance Centre Cody pointed out a white building, not more than a couple of miles away I'm guessing, on Canadian soil - in fact we drove right past the "Tunnel to Canada".
____________________________________________________________________
Wednesday 8th August
Back to Detroit. Say, 2 hour drive. This time we pulled up at the Henry Ford Museum. The complex is hu
ge, which forced us to make a choice between the exhibits centre and Greenfield Village; we chose the exhibits, due to the roasting heat outside and the refreshing air con inside. In fact, the air conditioning was so efficient that I had goose pimples by the end of the visit. There was so much to see in the museum that it's difficult to write about it all but we stood next to the JFK car, took a seat on the Rosa Parks bus (on the seat behind Rosa Parks) and, last but by no means least, posed next to a Wiener van.
High Fructose Corn Syrup and other stories...
When I came to the U.S I was worried about how I would handle the food, given that I have to be very careful about such things. On the whole I have been fine but I noticed that I was feeling unwell after foods that normally wouldn't be a problem. It was only when it was pointed out to me that almost everything contains high fructose corn syrup that I realised why. This seems to be the primary sweetner in the U.S and it's not one I handle well. HOWEVER, Shannie's cooking (including the delicious homemade bread and salmon & bean dish) has done me the world of good and everyone has been very sensitive to my situation. THANK YOU!
Food servings are certainly very generous here, with unlimited beverage top ups and ice cream portions to last you a week.
Food servings are certainly very generous here, with unlimited beverage top ups and ice cream portions to last you a week.
Unitarian Universalism
Sunday 5th August
Sunday morning took us to the Flint Unitarian Universalist Church, where Cody is pianist for August. From what I understand, Unitarian Universalists are a non-denominational group of people who have come from all religions (although some are raised as UU's) and walks of life. Emphasis is placed on asking your own questions and not following a specific text.
I have always enjoyed the quiet thinking time that walking into an old church can offer but, as an agnostic, I have always felt uncomfortable in Christian church services and have struggled to understand many of the teachings of Christianity but the UU's are a very warm bunch, focused on "serving" other people in the most compassionate way possible and ensuring that everyone feels welcome - atheists, agnostics, visiting Brits, GLBT's. It gave me the contemplation time I needed, without the pressure of having to believe what the person next to me and the person beside them believes. Pleasant new experience!
Sunday morning took us to the Flint Unitarian Universalist Church, where Cody is pianist for August. From what I understand, Unitarian Universalists are a non-denominational group of people who have come from all religions (although some are raised as UU's) and walks of life. Emphasis is placed on asking your own questions and not following a specific text.
I have always enjoyed the quiet thinking time that walking into an old church can offer but, as an agnostic, I have always felt uncomfortable in Christian church services and have struggled to understand many of the teachings of Christianity but the UU's are a very warm bunch, focused on "serving" other people in the most compassionate way possible and ensuring that everyone feels welcome - atheists, agnostics, visiting Brits, GLBT's. It gave me the contemplation time I needed, without the pressure of having to believe what the person next to me and the person beside them believes. Pleasant new experience!
Saturday, 11 August 2007
Saturday 4th August
Happy Anniversary today, Mum and Dad!!!
Saturday 4th August
Saturday was a bit of a lie back and relax day, although Cody had to practise, but we did make it to a gathering in the evening - a celebration to mark the marriage of two of Cody's school friends. By the time we arrived in the evening the crowds of people had gone home and there were just a handful of us sat in the back garden, which seemed to have its own forest towards the far end. As sunlight faded, the mosq
uitoes came out for their evening meal of human flesh, so a fire was lit in the centre of the gathering, marshmallows were toasted and homemade blueberry wine was consumed. Whilst Cody was deep in conversation with the groom, I was distracted (very pleasantly) by fire flies - this was my first experience with bugs that light up in the dark and I eventually realised that I had been gazing out with my jaw wide open, which must have looked very glamourous, I'm sure.
I think it is such a wonderful thing that couples in the U.S are able to choose any location for a wedding - parks or back gardens if they wish. In the UK you either have to use a church, registry office or a location from the list of registered buildings. It makes far more sense to be allowed to choose a spot of personal significance to the couple.
Later that evening Cody's sister, Caitlin, arrived from Grand Rapids. Prior to this we had only communicated via brief online messages, so it was wonderful to finally meet her. She is a very warm, vivacious character with a magnetic personality and, boy, does she look like Cody. I was feeling a little quiet at the time (probably still overwhelmed by the sheer scale of everything) but I hope I'll get to speak to her more when she visits home at the end of the month.
Saturday 4th August
Saturday was a bit of a lie back and relax day, although Cody had to practise, but we did make it to a gathering in the evening - a celebration to mark the marriage of two of Cody's school friends. By the time we arrived in the evening the crowds of people had gone home and there were just a handful of us sat in the back garden, which seemed to have its own forest towards the far end. As sunlight faded, the mosq
uitoes came out for their evening meal of human flesh, so a fire was lit in the centre of the gathering, marshmallows were toasted and homemade blueberry wine was consumed. Whilst Cody was deep in conversation with the groom, I was distracted (very pleasantly) by fire flies - this was my first experience with bugs that light up in the dark and I eventually realised that I had been gazing out with my jaw wide open, which must have looked very glamourous, I'm sure.I think it is such a wonderful thing that couples in the U.S are able to choose any location for a wedding - parks or back gardens if they wish. In the UK you either have to use a church, registry office or a location from the list of registered buildings. It makes far more sense to be allowed to choose a spot of personal significance to the couple.
Later that evening Cody's sister, Caitlin, arrived from Grand Rapids. Prior to this we had only communicated via brief online messages, so it was wonderful to finally meet her. She is a very warm, vivacious character with a magnetic personality and, boy, does she look like Cody. I was feeling a little quiet at the time (probably still overwhelmed by the sheer scale of everything) but I hope I'll get to speak to her more when she visits home at the end of the month.
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