The Huntley Farmside

              Volume 40 No. 28
Thursday July 13,2000
© 2000 Press-Republicarr Newspapers
Himtley globetrotter
The world is her oysteVy hut Huntley is her home
by Jan St. James
Huntley editor
World War II was raging in many parts of the world. At home in the United States, times were-tough. Huntley's Barbara Hopper can recall signs of the times posted in all transportation centers. They read: Is this trip really neces¬ sary?
At one point when the trip was necessary. Hopper, then 11, and her family traveled to Indiana by train. The ride there was uneventful, but the trip home remains clear in her memory.
"There were people on the train coming from
Pennsylvania and their faces were black with train soot that came through the open win¬ dows," she said. "It was very hot and crowded. People were sitting in the aisles and rotating seats. A sailor gave up his seat to me and my cousin Jeanne."
Growing up in a family that did not own a car, she had little opportunity to travel much until later in life. Once the suit¬ case was open, however, globe¬ trotting became second nature. Hopper's career as an elemen¬ tary school teacher afforded her the opportunity to spend winter, spring and summer vacations in pursuit of miles and memories. Now retired, she can devote even more time to trekking.
Hopper has recently t.' returned from Japan and is set to leave again for England soon. Despite an attachment to her time at home. Hopper always looks forward to the next trip, sometimes as soon as during the flight home from the last one.
"Travel enhances my life in many ways," Hopper said. "I find even when I read, it is a benefit in that it is helpful to be abl« to picture places men¬ tioned or have some insight into a culture critical to the writing."
While traveling alone is an art Hopper has mastered, she
also enjoys company on her road trips.
"I have always had the plea¬ sure of wonderful travel com¬ panions, whether they are my children, my granddaughter, my cousin or friends. Sometimes it ends up being new friends I've made along the way."
The more places she visits, the more memories she col¬ lects. While standard touring and "must-see" sites are often included in Hopper's itiner¬ aries, she finds the "quirky" or special moments she encoun¬ ters off the beaten path often become her fondest memories. She notes the following experi- eni:es as some of the many "pic¬ tures hanging in the gallery of my brain:"
• Meeting one of the farmers who, while digging a well, dis¬ covered the thousands of full- size terra cotta warriors buried beneath Xi'an, China.
• Being in the National Cemetery when the Marine Band, the President's Own, was there to serenade John Philip Sousa's grave site in honor of his birthday.
• Going through roadblocks on the French Riviera following the kidnapping of a prominent person.
• Stumbling upon a Teddy Bear Picnic being held for the children of London in Hyde Park.
• Having the good fortune to see Maiko, Geisha-in-training, in full dress during cherry blossom time in Kyoto, Japan. Some residents of Kyoto, the Geisha capital, live their entire lives without ever seeing a Maiko or Geisha in full dress.
• An audience with the Pope in 1968 and the bells, drums and chants at a Buddhist tem¬ ple in Japan.
• The "out-of-way" walk taken in London, following directions in a book by Chicago movie critic Roger Ebert.
• The full moon over Rome. A sunrise over the Pacific Ocean from New Zealand. A sunset over the Pacific from
(above) Huntley resident Barbara Hopper (left) and her granddaughter, Jessica, have the good fortune of meeting with Maiko, Geisha-in-training, in full dress while viewing this spring's cherry blossoms in Kyoto, Japan, (right) Hopper (left) and fellow teacher Ann Stewart marvel at the wonder that is the Great Wall of China.
the shores of Hawaii. Another sunrise, but over the Atlantic Ocean from the coast of Maine. The moon on Lake Montreaux and over Mont Blanc in France.
• Climbing to the top of the Capitol dome in Wasliington, D.C.
• Fourth of July in England, Austria and on Lake Brantingham in the Adirondacks,   where   a   boat
flotilla was led by a papier mache replica of the Statue of Liberty.
• Being atop Mt. Rigi in Switzerland and seeing a boy and his St. Bernard sitting at the very pinnacle, just like in the movies.
Without a doubt, travel is full of fun and adventure, but Hopper has always tried to interpret her journeys as an education and as
life lessons, too.
"Best of all is talking to peo¬ ple from everywhere and the discovery that we all have pret¬ ty much the same goals and dreams for a good life," she said.
"I have been fortunate to meet so many interesting and thoughtful people in my trav¬ els. It makes me feel optimistic for peace on earth."