Detroit's Apocalypse

[baylorsr]

When oselle set Detroit as the apocalyptic destination for In Country ( podficced by yours truly), I successfully prevailed upon her to come to Michigan and see the D for herself. I am not a Detroiter, but I am a born and raised Michigander, and in the job I held for eight years until December 2010, I visited Detroit several times a month for community

Comments

[laurie_ky]

That was fascinating to read. Even over thirty years ago, when my husband lived in Ann Arbor, he told me that a boarded up window was called a Detroit window.

Perfect place for Oselle's story. So eerie and damaged, with flashes of grandeur still. I think I was in the train station, about fifty years ago, when I went with my aunt to pick up a cousin who was coming to spend some time with our aunt at her apartment in St. Joe. I just remember the train station as big, and busy.

Laurie

[baylorsr]

I've only seen the train station in its current decay, though I was alive when it was functional. It really looks like Legion of Doom headquarters.

[azur_infinie]

Fascinating read, thanks. I think I would love to see the Michigan Central Station in person, the photo by Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre haunted me the first time I saw it when their book came out. I am looking forward to checking out the fic too.

[baylorsr]

When I took oselle to see Michigan Central, we first went through the pitch-black tunnel under the railroad (described so frighteningly in In Country). Then when we drove around the front, there was a single, nice shiny sedan parked in front, and then one homeless guy hanging out who grinned and waved at us in great excitement. It was horrifically awesome.

[oselle]

He was so totally excited, wasn't he?

[baylorsr]

We were three white chicks in a car wandering around a creepy abandoned old building that Lucifer's minions were at that very moment getting ready for the boss. His homeless friends were never going to believe what he saw today!

[tieleen]

Thank you for this post. It's important to know these things, and I don't think I would have otherwise.

[baylorsr]

Detroit is a sad and fascinating story.

[oselle]

This post should come with a caveat for the curious who might want to do some sightseeing in Detroit. I would not recommend it unless you're doing it with someone who really knows their way around. Even with you there I was pretty tense about blowing a tire or something. I mean, no matter where you are in New York, you can always hop on a bus or on the subway to get out. What are you supposed to do if you break down in front of Michigan Central? Start walking and hope for the best? Would AAA even come out there?

[baylorsr]

Did you notice in Friday's episode that in the travel agent's office there was a huge poster of Detroit touting it as the #1 city to visit?

[oselle]

Of course I did!

[oselle]

BTW, Image 8 "Lee Plaza Hotel Room" in the "Beautiful Horrible Decline" photo essay was the model for Asher's apartment at The Cairo.