Jon Greaves: Service Science, Gadgets and BBQ (not necessarily in that order...)

I'll confess, i've been a car guy since before I could walk (or talk). So when I had the chance to visit with a partner in Detroit I was very keen to go, although with other travel plans this was somewhat of a compressed visit, just 5hrs on the ground.

Detroit was really not what I expected, after hearing the stories from various people of a city thats core industry is in a slump and receiving little investment - I was surprised to see what appears to be a busy and modern downtown and after having what turned out to be a very knowledgeable and friendly taxis driver take me back to the airport learned a lot of the new investment heading into casinos, stadiums and hopefully the water front. Detroit really felt like a more laid back Chicago with a huge potential for growth.

I'm embarrassed to say that I failed to spot the worlds largest tire (8 storeys high) when I exited the airport, but did catch a view on the way back. The uniroyal tire seems to have an interesting history of its own, starting life as a ferris wheel for the 1965 worlds fair (amazingly powered by a 100 horsepower motor), then being relocated to I-94 outside the airport. Since its move its had a large nail stuck into it to show nailgard sealing a puncture, then most recently a more modern hub cap. Although I must admit I liked the pictures of the original spoked wheel vs. the more modern look.

I hope I'm able to return in the future when I have more time.

Next week I'm very excited to be heading to Beijing...

(pictures courtesy of uniroyal corp website www.uniroyal.com/about/gianttire.html)