Visiting Detroit Part 7 By Rob Moss

Visiting Detroit Part 7

Holidaying in Detroit is probably not everyone’s idea of an ideal vacation. Though the weather is scorching in the summer, there are no beaches or swimming facilities to speak of. No English pubs serving Watney’s Red Barrel. No ‘Full English breakfasts with all the trimmings’ and no Sky TV showing football at all hours of the day and night. In fact, you’ll be lucky to even find out the scores. You can visit ancient relics, although I’m sure they wouldn’t take kindly to be referred to in quite those terms, see where many of the recordings were made and have a sporting chance of finding that precious vinyl, if, of course, your interests lie in these areas. Probably not the kind of trip to take the wife and kids on — unless you’ve managed to brainwash them to the extent that they share your passion, and this is extremely unlikely. Travelling to America by air from anywhere in Europe will usually take a minimum of seven hours, owing to the headwinds that typically slow progress on the outbound journey. It will be shorter coming back for exactly the same reason.

Flying is one of the most tedious, frustrating and mind numbing activities we are forced to endure in our modern world. And it is not enhanced by the moronic range of films available that are targeted at the four children on the flight who may actually understand and enjoy them. Add to this the constant and continuous high pitch screaming and wailing of the inevitable baby (ies) in the next row (doesn’t anyone use dummies anymore?) and the old man, in close proximity, who periodically insists on moving the phlegm in the back of his throat to the nasal cavity in the centre of his head with that awful sound that resembles a ship leaving port, and you have abject misery. The feeling of elation as you actually leave the aircraft, not forgetting to, hypocritically, thank the flight staff for orchestrating this brief visit to hell, is a unique experience. Like many airports around the world, Detroit Metro is at least 20 miles from the city. A hire car is essential and should be booked, and prepaid, from home....

note from the soul source team - sorry but all Robs non-current articles are now clipped due to a future book release - watch out for news of that!