To Be Continued? The Final Days in Stratford 

Since this is supposed to be the final/concluding blog post of this trip I guess my list will be my top ten favorite things that I have experienced so far. This is a hefty task so bear with me. 

1. FEMALE REPRESENTATION!! QUEER REPRESENTATION!! Really just representation in general, we have seen so many different types of people perform on this trip and it has been beyond word thrilling and heart warming! It gives me not only hope for my future career but also an increased passion to push the boundaries within theatre, any chance I get. 
2. The parks, gardens, greenery, nature, etc! There’s so much and yes, I know Fayetteville has its fair share of parks and tons of trees. But it has been some of my favorite moments just sitting somewhere surrounded by nature (and I’m usually not a big nature girly, I prefer my AC but when there isn’t any, you go outside). Everywhere is always so peaceful or gives something that is organically entertaining. I may or may not be turning into the Bird Woman from Mary Poppins. I’ve found such joy just sitting around talking and feeding the birds even when I wasn’t supposed to. 
3. THE PEOPLE!! We have all become one little family and I think I’m really going to miss meeting up with everyone everyday or waking up and just staring at Alyssa ten minutes before speaking in the morning. The bonds that we have created are ones that I will forever cherish and have made me not only learn about myself but more about what I want out of my future.
4. But also the people we have met out and about! There of course have been some people that I could go my entire life without ever meeting but Alan from the VA Museum, our waiter at Nonna Selena, the owner of Gay’s the Word Bookshop, the tour guide we had in Oxford, Amy at The Lion and The Fox the random people I’ve met and spoke to while I was waiting in the queue or stagedooring or even in the bathroom. The small conversations and kindness of strangers not only made me feel a little bit at home but also allowed me to learn more about British culture than I would have if I didn’t spark up a conversation. I learned lingo and places to visit, places to avoid. They gave me knowledge that google could never.
5. The time I didn’t spend on my phone, I know shocking. But I have still yet to make an actual Instagram post, I have been living in the moment without even realizing it. I’ve been trying to absorb every little thing I could. And it has really brought me to be more in touch with myself. 
6. The few times it’s rained, which were only in Stratford. But they were magical. I’m sitting here writing this while listening to the rain hit the window and it makes me want to cry because it is so serene. I waited for the rain to come for so long and I never thought it would. What a good way to end the trip.
7. Museums, I’ve learned that we have a love hate relationship. I love them when they are semi empty and people aren’t bumping into me and I love when there’s something in them that really excites me or I’m looking for something in particular. If I don’t feel a connection, then I’m a little less enthused. This could also be said for a lot of other experiences. For example, shows that didn’t capture my attention in the first twenty minutes, I had to work a little harder to keep myself present as an audience member. 
8. Tourist crap, I love it. The amount of Shakespeare themed things especially in Stratford has me in a chokehold, its so silly and I could drop some serious cash in their gift shops. 
9. I love a big city do not get me wrong, but I love the slower cities sooooo much. Like that there isn’t too much to do in Stratford, like there is but isn’t. It’s a lot of shopping and museums. And the city basiclaly closes down at like 8pm, it’s a nice litttle escape of trying to cram every single thing that London has to offer into a month, or squeeze in everything you possibly can into one day. I like the slower pace, it’s refreshing. 
10. Walking, another love hate realtionship. Because I truly truly miss my car and driving around. But getting to explore the backstreets and simply just get lost in random places, I could never do if I was driving around. I mean I probably could but GPS makes that a little harder. And by walking I felt like I was seeing more of the city than if I was always in a car or a coach or a bus. 

Stratford: Shakepeare’s wonderland. Truly a much slower city than London, which I do enjoy very much. But really everyone just comes here for the Shakepeare things, which I totally get. I mean that’s what we are doing is it not? I wish we could have maybe spent another day here and done soemthing not Shakespeare related and just something “Stratford-y”. I love all of the old buildings and thatched roofs that look slightly like melting sticks of butter. It really transports you back to the times of Shakespeare and truly he didn’t have much more to do than we do while we are here. Eat, drink, walk around, chit chat, and write. This place is literally a writers paradise the amount of times I wished and craved to just be sitting somewhere editing some of my work or reading, was the majority of the time here. There must be something in the air. This was a great place to end the trip on. As we have seen so many theatres that have changed the way we look and think about theatre and living in the hustle and bustle, comign to Stratford has almost forced us into a time of self reflection.

 England in general, you’re a real one. You might have made me feel like I was gonna die a few times thanks to the jet lag, black boogers, and food poisoning but your charm and lively spirit made up for it. My journey will still continue as the rest of my fellow travelers venture home. So London, I’m coming back for ya. And then to Paris, Rome, and Venice. I’ve if I have time to write maybe I’ll hope on here. If not I’ll leave you with this: 

Don’t overpack, you seriously don’t need as many clothes as you think you do. 

Try the weird food, even if you think its gonan hurt you, it’s worth it. 

Get lost, wander some place random, until your heart feels warm. 

Apperciate the small things and don’t forget to look out for them. Because the small little signs you need will reveal them selves to you. 

You will find happiness in the most unlikely people and places. 

Inspiration could strike at any moment, voice memos!

Don’t forget to just breathe and let go, everything usually has a funny way of working itself out. 

Listen, you can learn and aborb so much more! From people, places, anything. 

Cheers!