Day in the D

"I always tell people, 'Man, I'm from Detroit! 

We don't buy s***, we build it!'" -- Kid Rock

No odyssey throughout Michigan is complete without a stop in Detroit, the state's largest and most well-known city. And with my new focus on hope and agritourism, what better place to go than to Eastern Market? This time around, I traveled with my friend Amr and allowed ourselves to get immersed in the hundreds upon hundreds of vendors. Though past the initial 5 a.m. rush right when the market opens, the sheds and streets were filled with people carrying their purchased goods, some in eco-friendly bags and others rigged them up on their bicycles. I even saw one man using a retro Radio Flyer to transport his produce to his car. 

Before I hit the Eastern Market photo highlight reel, here's an interesting fact about farming: it could actually really help pull Michigan out of its economic slump. With the unemployment rate at a startling 13.6 percent in the state, many Michiganders are turning to the state’s fertile land as a means of creating income. As a result, the average net income of Michigan’s farms has actually flourished in the hard economic times: between 2007 and 2008, the average intake for Michigan farms jumped from $1,195, 321 to $2,009, 926, an increase of more than 1.8 million dollars (United States Department of Agriculture, 2008). Talk about some food for thought!

Mums, the essential fall flower. 

A street musician performs TV and movie theme songs.

Signage from some urban farmers. 

After walking around the market for a while (and buying some much needed eggs), we decided to drive around the city for a bit, just to soak it all in. We didn't do any urban exploration (though this video series by Palladium Boots does a fantastic job of doing just that), but I was able to snap some pretty good photos of the D. You know, some people look at Detroit and see run down buildings. I look at it and see endless means of potential. 

The city is essentially a blank canvas to create something quite beautiful and to echo the sentiments of Bob Sutherland, the president of Cherry Republic I interviewed this summer, if people see others successfully putting their stake in Michigan, maybe that will give them the hope to follow suit. And through my travels for this thesis, I have learned that the people of Michigan are some of the most resolute, resourceful and hopeful people I have ever met. And I am so proud to be one of them. 

The streets of downtown.

The Ren Cen.

Beautiful, isn't it?

Gorgeous mural at the Russell Industrial Center.

While looking run down from the outside, the RIC is

actually a thriving artists' community. 

More of the RIC. 

In other thesis news, I have turned in my research paper to my committee to review before it ultimately gets turned in for final submission with the MALS program! I am so excited to have gotten oh-so-close to the finish line, though I know that once I walk across stage on Dec. 12 that Project Michigan will never end. I will  always be watching for positive news on the state, supporting Michigan-made products and most of all, continue to experience everything the great state of Michigan has to offer. Because after all, there are so many stories out there still waiting to be told. I look forward to being a voice for them. :)