Probably it wasn't the kind of weekend he anticipated!
It turned out to be a weekend of long drives, some sight-seeing and a lot of meeting people - the combination I did in fact enjoy...
Trip to Michigan took us to Troy, Dearborn and Ann Arbor, to numerous lakes, mowed lawns, sprawling bungalows and hearty meetings...
The day in Troy comprised of meeting people, fine food and long drive on sunny roads. As soon as we took to Ohio-Turnpike, the ride was pleasurable, and half-day drive did not seem like much. The landscape gradually transformed as we left Ohio, and entered into Michigan. The concrete roads were still the same, with neon signs and 'yield' boards; but the vegetation had dramatically altered in terms of foliage and coloration. Troy and Detroit presented an image of grey sub-urban spaces comparable to giant steel giants now crest-fallen and rusting as an edifice. The wide streets were bare, except for people crowding near supermarkets and restaurants.
Amidst the slow pace, Dearborn was another addition to the pleasure of slow pace and relaxation. However what Dearborn had to offer was quite different that the rest of the places around - a Mediterranean paradise! The city had Arabian and Persian delicacies, sweet meats and a plethora of places offering what one can call as 'Arabian experience'. Dearborn had dainty streets, imposing residential buildings, Ford street and ofcourse, Saudi hospitality!
Ann Arbor on the other hand was the prettiest place amongst these three. Particularly because of it being the University town and lot of people on streets, in parks, in crowded cafes and all... Long talks, pleasant walks in the sun was endearing and heartwarming. The University campus unfolded itself for us with its imposing buildings, bell tower and the rotating cube. Ro was excited to peep into the Gothic arches of the Law buildings and sandstone arches with gargoyles. The Mich Union building greeted him as an esteemed alumni, and I followed him into the mammoth halls with Corinthian columns and glazed tiles with arabesque mosaics. The sun shone intermittently through the grey clouds, highlighting the facade where Ro and his friends had once had their photo-shoot.
The flowers danced with the breeze, and I kept thinking of how enchanting Calgary is. My heart leaped with joy thinking about the glory of both nature and architecture back in Calgary. Michigan seemed dull to match the Canadian flamboyance. And I was once more convinced of the pleasure to be in the North...yet again!
As we headed back, the landscape turned itself into a perilous ally, where road was beneath us, but the sky seemed to fall upon us. It poured like never before, the dark clouds masked all the light and the wind wobbled our automobiles. But we saw a clear rainbow- arching on the road ahead of us. We drove under it as if passing through an arch - Arche de Triumph! And finally as the clouds cleared. Pittsburgh shone in the setting sun! UPMC highrise, and downtown galore seems like a sight I was waiting to see all this while throughout the four-hour long drive.
Finally, it felt as if I was home.
It turned out to be a weekend of long drives, some sight-seeing and a lot of meeting people - the combination I did in fact enjoy...
Trip to Michigan took us to Troy, Dearborn and Ann Arbor, to numerous lakes, mowed lawns, sprawling bungalows and hearty meetings...
The day in Troy comprised of meeting people, fine food and long drive on sunny roads. As soon as we took to Ohio-Turnpike, the ride was pleasurable, and half-day drive did not seem like much. The landscape gradually transformed as we left Ohio, and entered into Michigan. The concrete roads were still the same, with neon signs and 'yield' boards; but the vegetation had dramatically altered in terms of foliage and coloration. Troy and Detroit presented an image of grey sub-urban spaces comparable to giant steel giants now crest-fallen and rusting as an edifice. The wide streets were bare, except for people crowding near supermarkets and restaurants.
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| Some cathedral in Troy - one of the 'only' buildings that caught my eye |
Amidst the slow pace, Dearborn was another addition to the pleasure of slow pace and relaxation. However what Dearborn had to offer was quite different that the rest of the places around - a Mediterranean paradise! The city had Arabian and Persian delicacies, sweet meats and a plethora of places offering what one can call as 'Arabian experience'. Dearborn had dainty streets, imposing residential buildings, Ford street and ofcourse, Saudi hospitality!
Ann Arbor on the other hand was the prettiest place amongst these three. Particularly because of it being the University town and lot of people on streets, in parks, in crowded cafes and all... Long talks, pleasant walks in the sun was endearing and heartwarming. The University campus unfolded itself for us with its imposing buildings, bell tower and the rotating cube. Ro was excited to peep into the Gothic arches of the Law buildings and sandstone arches with gargoyles. The Mich Union building greeted him as an esteemed alumni, and I followed him into the mammoth halls with Corinthian columns and glazed tiles with arabesque mosaics. The sun shone intermittently through the grey clouds, highlighting the facade where Ro and his friends had once had their photo-shoot.
 |
| Law Building, UMich |
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| Engineering Campus, UMich |
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| Rotating cube - a.k.a wish-granting cube- UMich Central Campus |
The flowers danced with the breeze, and I kept thinking of how enchanting Calgary is. My heart leaped with joy thinking about the glory of both nature and architecture back in Calgary. Michigan seemed dull to match the Canadian flamboyance. And I was once more convinced of the pleasure to be in the North...yet again!
As we headed back, the landscape turned itself into a perilous ally, where road was beneath us, but the sky seemed to fall upon us. It poured like never before, the dark clouds masked all the light and the wind wobbled our automobiles. But we saw a clear rainbow- arching on the road ahead of us. We drove under it as if passing through an arch - Arche de Triumph! And finally as the clouds cleared. Pittsburgh shone in the setting sun! UPMC highrise, and downtown galore seems like a sight I was waiting to see all this while throughout the four-hour long drive.
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| The scary dark clouds |
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| Pleasant sight of Pittsburgh! |
Finally, it felt as if I was home.
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