Chicago, IL and Philadelphia, PA- I visited Chicago with Millie in early September and just came back from my Philadelphia trip this past Sunday. Two cities, both opposite as day and night. Chicago is a city that I hold close to my heart. I feel as if there's a chemistry between me and that city (yes, I likened it to a man.) We stayed at a luxurious hotel near Magnificent Mile, and enjoyed the many activities Chicago had to offer- lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, a boat tour of the skyline, dinner at a Spanish tapas restaurant, shopping, two nightclubs, etc. When I go to the Chi, it's not like a vacation, but more of a visit to my second home. I have this fascination with the city and, like some Detroiters, I walk the streets asking where the hell did we go wrong in Detroit? (That's a discussion for another blog.)
Conversely, Philadelphia was the complete opposite. Arriving in Philly, I was still pleased with its downtown area. Not as developed as Chicago's, but had many tourist attractions nonetheless. The one thing that I liked about Philadelphia is that it was the first time I visited a city with a historic feel to it. Not surprising seeing that it IS one of the original 13 American colonies, and home of the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Rocky anyone?) As opposed to the neck breaking skyscrapers, shopping avenues, and "glitz and glam" of cities like Chicago, Philly had cobblestone streets, statues of famous generals and townsmen, and ancient mansonry halls. I, of course, looked up to give my salute to William Penn.
It would be fair to say that every major US city has its ghetto. However, even after being born and raised in Detroit and seeing my city's most desolate areas, nothing prepared me for North Philly. It was probably some of the most deteriorated, poverty stricken neighborhoods I've ever visited. Hundreds of dilapidated rowhomes, vacant lots overgrown with weeds, and litter covering almost every inch of what was left of streets and sidewalks. The area in one word was- bleak. The stories that the CDC's (community development corporations) shared in the area were needless to say, disturbing. One CDC said their operation was located in the same building where they found over 100 needles and condoms, as well as not one, not two, but THREE dead bodies. My group visited the Logan CDC, an organization that was committed to revitalizing a neighborhood that had been destroyed by a bad decision of Logan's past developers. Years ago, it was discovered that the houses constructed in the area were built upon an ash creek. Because of the lack of a solid foundation, all of the houses began to sink. It was ordered that the residents in the neighborhood vacate their houses for only $500, and their homes were demolished. The debris from the houses were not removed however, just packed into the ash creek under the ground. It's been 30+ years, and more than 32 acres still sits unused and undeveloped. It was such a devastating story but nonetheless, good for me to see and experience. As a Detroit native, I know the problem the city faces because I lived it. I know the problems other cities faced because I studied it. Learning it in a classroom, however, is way different than experiencing it in person. and just think, there are cities in worse conditions in the world? Oh what to do, what to do....
Grad update- Stressed, overworked, confused. Kanye's line "They say, 'Oh you graduated?' No I decided I was finished." keeps resonating in my head. What did I expect though? It's grad school. I think the frustration comes from being forced to take classes that I don't want to take, and I sucked at in undergrad. The one thing that made me excited my beginning a masters program is the belief that I'd be able to FINALLY take courses that interest me and are pertinent to my career. Yet, I'm back at square one- confused in economics, struggling in statistics, and trying to grasp the concept of law. I just have to make it through this semester.
Self-reflection- The older I get, the more I like to be by myself. I'm not so much a loner because I did manage to befriend a lot of people in my class (thanks to "bonding" in Philly.* insert Samuel Jackson side eye*) Most of it is due to the fact that I'm completely drained after classes and work. The other half is I'm way too busy to partake in any social activity. Majority of it is by choice. In any case, it's definitely not depressing. After years of roommates and going home to a house with 4 adults and not enough space, my apartment remains my sanctuary.
For those who are curious, YES I did sing the "Good TImes" upon entering Chicago, and YES I sang the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" theme song when we arrived in Philly. I'll be singing the "Mary Tyler Moore Show" theme song once I go to visit family in Minneapolis....questions?
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