In Honduras, despite our leader Steve’s best laid plans, we never knew what the day would bring. The day before, the ten of us Canadian teachers, well actually five, because the other five identified as Quebecois, had been up visiting leaders of COLPRUSUMAH, the Elementary Teachers’ Union in their hilltop centre on one of Tegucigalpa’s…
Cute Black and White ‘Kittens’
Since Ken has hearkened back to our youth, I wanted to add a story from then. I’m not sure how old I was – maybe about six or seven. I was out in the back field following Dad around. Not sure what he was doing out there but I liked being outdoors. Only now do…
Early years
Something I wrote about 12 years ago The world has changed so dramatically that even someone who has not reached retirement has seen remarkable changes. I record these memoirs not with the thought that my insights are particularly profound, but with the view that my recollections, taken with other memoirs of the time, may give…
Venice and My Mother’s Tray
My (our) mom was an artistic unconventional soul. She enjoyed painting, writing short stories (some of them rather good) and traveling. One particular item she had that I remember very clearly from my childhood was a serving tray with a picture of Santa Maria del Salute in Venice. Of course, I didn’t know at the…
Family stories: Dancing with Lady Mountbatten- 1942 or 43
Well, I have lots more travel/road stories I’m working on and Radiance has also inspired me to write about “going to Vancouver” sixty years ago, but now family stories have been suggested. Yes, I have a few. I’ve been thinking of my ancestors lately and some of the things they survived in their historical moments…
Response to Anne’s European Adventure
This first appeared as a comment. Anne’s story reminds me of my travels in Europe, which must have been in the Fall of. 1971. I had just graduated from grade 13, and travelled through parts of Europe with a friend for 3 months. It was a “gap year”. We took a ferry from Denmark to…
Coming to Vancouver
When I was a kid we lived near Chilliwack. Vancouver was a long way away. There was no freeway and no Port Mann Bridge. Trips to Vancouver took us through Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Aldergrove, and Langley. We passed by Cloverdale and then over the Pattullo Bridge. Then along Kingsway. That’s why there are still a few…
Karaağaç Train Station
While waiting for a residence permit in Greece, I had to leave the country every six months to renew my tourist visa. These quick trips out of Greece could be quite adventurous. One such trip had my husband, B and I deciding to take the train through north eastern Greece and cross the border near…
Athens to Amsterdam – 1984
the journey between before the European Union by Anne I blame it on the Greeks, at least the ones that sold Gael and I our train tickets in Athens. We bought really cheap tickets that involved changing trains a few times to get there. Who booked reserved seats in those days? And besides for the…
Xania, Crete – Radiance
I lived just a few blocks from the Xania Harbor pictured below. The town is old (some say neolithic) and has been invaded by various groups over the centuries. The house I shared with my friend and fellow teacher Frank was over 600 years old according to our landlord. It certainly creaked and moaned as…