Edmonton: City of Discovery
User Story
By Erin Despas
Growing up in small town Stony Plain, about 45 minutes east of Edmonton, I missed much of the hustle and bustle to be found in The City of Champions. When I do go into Edmonton though—with my mother as I don't drive—I am forever being amazed at something new that I find.
Since I have Spina Bifida, ever since I can remember I've had to go into the U of A hospital for routine clinics and tests. And, as a consolation to me, after every visit my mother would take me to different locations in Edmonton that were either from her past or were just somewhere that she thought would be special for me to see.
Like the time she took me and my brother to where her first apartment had been (now a business skyscraper), or when we went to Hawrelak Park or to the river valley.Just this summer I was in the car with my mother and father in front, and noticed we had entered Old Strathcona. When I brought this up to my parents, mom pointed out where the old train station was and I commented on how neat I thought it was. Edmonton and area has kept so much of its history intact.
I've made some good friends in Edmonton and had my prom in 2005 at the Shaw Conference Center. I can remember going outside to just walk along the pathway there talking idly with my date who later that year became my first boyfriend.
Edmonton, Alberta is home to some 782,439 residents, and while it might not be where I live day to day, I feel right at home every time I visit.
