Dear Detroit.

I am BLOWING UP on Couchsurfing.com.

   For those of you who don't know or are too financially secure to ever have to resort to such a thing, Couchsurfing is a network of people who are trusting enough* to have complete strangers stay on their floors or couches for free. Ever since I've set up a profile page stating that I live Detroit and that my couches are open and ready for some crashers...I've been a popular girl.**

   Ever since Palladium Boots aired their 'Detroit Lives' documentary, people have been anxious to come check out the city. A few weeks ago we had a couple from Chicago staying with us***. They were telling us they wanted to come see Detroit because they had been hearing a buzz about Detroit for a little while and after seeing the Palladium documentary....they had to come.

   I am encouraged that so many people want to come see and get to know Detroit. It leaves me with the impression that maybe Detroit's reputation is changing. It gives me hope that there are people out there who can see past Detroit's seedy past****. People who can see beauty and possibility in the brokenness and abandonment of the city. Creative people who can appreciate the opportunities to create and re-imagine. 

A poem written while walking to the bus stop:

It’s like a game the city has made just for me

Streets broken into lily pads for my feet

And in time with the city’s rhythm they land on the beat



People are coming to the city and they are falling in love with it. I need to remind myself of that sometimes because it's easy to think that the only people who like Detroit, live here. But that is a lie. People are coming curious and leaving enchanted. 


So for all you people who think Detroit is forgotten and alone. You are wrong. You'll see.

Detroit lives.






*Some might say foolish enough...I disregard these people.
**So basically like when I was in High school....only....the complete opposite.
*** House rule: Only couples and single females are allowed to couch surf with us...cause...ya know....we're not complete idiots.
****And, admittedly, semi-seedy present.