National Adult Literacy Database

January 14, 2013

This week, we have a story written by Julie Stanhope, from Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Julie works on her writing skills at the Keshen Goodman Library Program in Halifax.  This program is affiliated with the Halifax Community Learning Network (HCLN).

My Travels

by Julie Stanhope

I am a four-time world champion figure skater. I went to different places in different parts of the world to take part in competitions. We went to Reno, Nevada in 1989, Salzburg in 1992, Anchorage, Alaska in 2001, and then we went to Nagano, Japan in 2005. We got our first passports for these trips.

While we were in Anchorage, Alaska, we saw moose crossing the road when we were on the bus. I shopped at JC Penney with my mom. I bought my first suit, it was nice and blue.

Seven years ago I broke my leg before I went to Nagano, Japan. It happened October 1, 2004. I had to go for an operation, and then I got back on my feet.

In Nagano, Japan there were lots of fans. They came running after the bus. Lots of kids asked for my autograph. We visited Elementary schools and played games. There were wooden houses. The tubs ran automatically and the sinks and toilets ran automatically.

I bought a souvenir. There were Japanese stores. We ate lots of different foods. Their McDonald’s menu and everything was in Japanese language.

There was a Disneyland. We saw a green tea ceremony. We went to see a temple. There was a sumo wrestler. There were a prince and princess. They watched us perform.

In 1992, we were in Salzburg. We got to see a castle where The Sound of Music was made.

In the middle of the city, close by the churches and castle, there were lots of headstones. I felt like I was walking on some dead body. They had lots of German music I never heard of. They played Mozart too. We had German food. We had nice breakfasts and lunch.

In Reno, Nevada, in 1989, I got to see Patrick Swayze at the rink.

I sat on his knee. We went to see a movie set where Gunsmoke was made. I wanted to live there. I didn’t want to come home.

I had lots of fun when I traveled and met lots of new friends.

[This story was taken with permission from Journeys Yearbook 2012, pp. 52-53, published by the Halifax Community Learning Network (HCLN). ]