Peter II: More Detroit.

It kept bugging me, why I felt so safe in a city with such a bad reputation on my way to nj. I got so many texts asking if I'm alive while there it was like being 99 year old rich guy with a big family. On the way to NJ I finally figured it out.

Detroit is very much alike my home city in the financial crises back in 1991. Tampere relied heavily to industries that were trading with Russia. In a few months, many of our biggest ceased to exist, unemployment went to all time high, child service stats show a clear
difference to worse, many small companies went bankrupt taking the pride of the owners and creating this huge atmosphere of hopelessness.

In the last entry, without actually realizing that I had seen this done, I said I can't wait to see what becomes of Detroit over time, how it will evolve. Mine went from old school manufacturing and heavy industry city into a thriving capitol of Finnish technology. A good example is Nokia with their phones (which we admittedly fucked up completely later) so for us, it is time to start the climb back all over again.

I've been trying to explain the feel of the city with only a little result. For sure to me getting in the local experiences is quite easy, people tell me their stories even before I ask for them and because I'm a 48 year old man who doesn't shower as told in bimmerpost, I pretty much have free access everywhere.

Now, the bikers.

I was at a petrol station having an argument with Candy (the satnav lady) when they pulled in. It took me till late last night to remember what my dad's good friend became later in life.

As the guys I met in Detroit, my dad's friend had worked hard for the same company for a long time. The crash got him into trouble, and he even did some time, found new friends and lets just say he is no longer a respected member of the community.

I remember looking at the crowd in my dad's funeral, and spotting him from there. It felt good to see a face from the past after the sea of stuffed suits that were also present. With the guys from a few days ago, I wasn't afraid for my safety for one bit just because I've seen what life does to us all in ways, but rarely all good within us die.

The true beauty of Detroit will rise again. We will see that city rising and I do hope the people hang on to their unique culture no matter what.

next time, I'm going in in a mustang. Detroit, fuck yeah!