Elaine Antoniuk by Zoe Mullinax

Elaine Antoniuk by Zoe Mullinax

Journeys

Canada: I grew up in a small town in western Canada during the Depression. It was a very simple childhood. My parents had lots of friends who also had children, so we did many things together such as have picnics and go fishing. Every summer we would go to my aunt’s farm, and my mother's sisters and some of my cousins would come from other places. It was a rural area with just a post office, a little store, and a train station. I sometimes would go all by myself on the train to the next town where my grandmother lived. In those days a train trip for a child was a pretty big deal, so that’s where my journeys began ...

Tehran: It was such a different culture. I was very interested in their history, which wasn’t current like European history; the Persian civilization was the last ancient civilization. Living in Persia taught me how far back certain histories go and how new ours is.

London: There are so many opportunities in London. I spent many hours in their amazing museums. Even our window-washer who didn’t have much education regularly went to the library and researched things. When we dined with guests a British man would talk about literature, the opera, the theater, or history. An American man would talk about sports, politics, or his business.

Afghanistan: We stayed in Kabul and everyday we made a trip elsewhere. Most of the Afghan cities and areas that were in our news here in the United States after September 11, 2001 were places I had been, where I had met Afghans and enjoyed their scenery. That news evoked a response of deep sorrow in me.

Madagascar and the Seychelles: In Madagascar we spotted lemurs. My favorites were the white sifakas who flew from tree to tree. Our ornithologist from the University of South Africa said we had identified more tropical sea birds than most ornithologists in their lifetime.

Every place that I’ve been to I’ve learned something new. I learn about the culture, the history, and the people. When you go to a foreign country nothing is predictable, like your life here. You have to adjust to it. If you view the world as hostile, then you’re in trouble. If you view the world as a safe place that has something to offer you, the newness becomes an exciting experience. I am very stimulated by other cultures and places. And I have learned that I can adjust and experience new geography, food and culture, all of which have enriched my life.

Elaine Antoniuk by Zoe Mullinax

		Journeys
		Canada: I grew up in a small town in western Canada during the Depression. It was a very simple childhood. My parents had lots of friends who also had children, so we did many things together such as have picnics and go fishing. Every summer we would go to my aunt’s farm, and my mother's sisters and some of my cousins would come from other places. It was a rural area with just a post office, a little store, and a train station. I sometimes would go all by myself on the train to the next town where my grandmother lived. In those days a train trip for a child was a pretty big deal, so that’s where my journeys began ...
		Tehran: It was such a different culture. I was very interested in their history, which wasn’t current like European history; the Persian civilization was the last ancient civilization. Living in Persia taught me how far back certain histories go and how new ours is.
		London: There are so many opportunities in London. I spent many hours in their amazing museums. Even our window-washer who didn’t have much education regularly went to the library and researched things. When we dined with guests a British man would talk about literature, the opera, the theater, or history. An American man would talk about sports, politics, or his business.
		Afghanistan: We stayed in Kabul and everyday we made a trip elsewhere. Most of the Afghan cities and areas that were in our news here in the United States after September 11, 2001 were places I had been, where I had met Afghans and enjoyed their scenery. That news evoked a response of deep sorrow in me.
		Madagascar and the Seychelles: In Madagascar we spotted lemurs. My favorites were the white sifakas who flew from tree to tree. Our ornithologist from the University of South Africa said we had identified more tropical sea birds than most ornithologists in their lifetime.
	Every place that I’ve been to I’ve learned something new. I learn about the culture, the history, and the people. When you go to a foreign country nothing is predictable, like your life here. You have to adjust to it. If you view the world as hostile, then you’re in trouble. If you view the world as a safe place that has something to offer you, the newness becomes an exciting experience. I am very stimulated by other cultures and places. And I have learned that I can adjust and experience new geography, food and culture, all of which have enriched my life.