Detroit after Christmas

It's not easy changing gears from holiday mode to work mode the day after a great family Christmas. But change gears I did, for a three day run at the super cool Detroit Institute of Arts.

The trip began ominously enough. I opened The Charlotte Observer early Saturday morning and read about someone lighting their pants on fire aboard a plane from Amsterdam to . . . Detroit. I tucked the headline away so that my wife wouldn't see it until I was airborne.

Happily, the flight and surrounding security pleasantries were fine and just like that I was unpacking the previously-shipped crate containing our show called "Bathtub Pirates" for a 2:00pm performance. The DIA's Michael Hill was a great sponsor and the three days of performances were a blast.

In between performances I would stroll the museum galleries, lodge at the unbelievable Inn on Ferry Street, watch some bowl games, try not to hear the couple in the room next door having an absolutely fantastic weekend and dine at the nearby Wasabi Korean and Japanese Restaurant.

Whenever I'm at the DIA, I love to study their collection of armor, marveling at the various pieces and what they must have been through. The Museum was recently renovated and has wonderful, extensive collections from many different eras and artists.

The Inn on Ferry Street is a comfortable collection of three turn of the century houses that have been converted into amazing rooms for travelers of all sorts. If you're ever in Detroit, you must check this place out.

I was without a vehicle and therefore would light out on foot each night in search of dinner. The first night at the aforementioned Wasabi, I enjoyed a wonderfully light and tasty plate of gyoza; little steamed veggie dumplings that were finished to a browned crisp in a wok. A nice glazed salmon and a cold Kirin completed the meal. I found myself there again the next night as the Creperie I had my sights set on was closed on this snowy cold night, despite the "Open" sign crackling in their window. So, it was a great selection of sushi and Sunday Night Football back at my spot at Wasabi's bar. Perfect.

After Monday's performance, I packed up the show for its return to Charlotte. I said my good byes to Michael and his colleague Lisa who were such a blast to work with. I was driven to the airport by a man with a Bluetooth thing in his ear and a pen and legal pad balanced on the steering wheel. He would take turns looking at the road, talking another language into the Bluetooth, scribbling on the pad and nodding off.

Security had been ratcheted up at the airport, but all went well. My wireless microphone case that I "carried on" with me caused much more of a stir this time, but that's OK. I was waiting for my suitcase at the carousel before I knew it.

The trip that started with an ominous newspaper article ended with the inherent goodness in people everywhere. As I waited for my bag, I heard someone behind me say, "Don't you worry, sweetheart, we will find it." I turned to see a vision-impaired man with a cane talking to his vision-impaired wife with a cool dog assisting her. They hurried up to an exit door and asked a complete stranger if this was indeed "Door D." The stranger said it was and they hurried on their way. Maybe you had to be there, but in a world where someone feels passionately enough to light himself on fire for his cause, somehow there was an equal passion of kindness here as well. Kindness between the man and his wife, their beloved dog and by the stranger who helped them.