The best part about Stratford is all the history of Shakespeare. Every corner seems to be connected to him; his birthplace, his school, his grave, and even the house where Anne Hathaway lived. It’s cool to see how this little town raised one of the most famous writers in the world. It made me appreciate how far his words have traveled, all the way from this tiny, cozy town to the huge stages of London and around the world. Seeing his story up close made everything we’ve read and watched feel more real.
But as cool as Stratford was, I couldn’t help but miss London. I miss the noise, the energy, the feeling that something’s always happening. In London, we were constantly moving; seeing shows, walking through historic sites, discovering food spots, the markets, and just soaking in everything the city had to offer. Every day was full. I got used to the pace, the people, and the buzz of city life.
This trip overall has been so amazing. I’ve seen more theatre in the past few weeks than I probably have in my whole life (I saw 20 shows like OMGGG), and stood and seen places and objects I’ve only read about in history books. From Shakespeare’s Globe to Buckingham Palace, from Camden Market to the West End, it’s been unforgettable. London felt like it had everything, and I honestly fell in love with it.
Stratford gave me a quiet moment to reflect, but it also reminded me just how much I loved being in the middle of the action. This journey has made me appreciate both the small stories and the big cities. And even though I know we had to slow down at some point, I’d go back to London in a heartbeat. I am going to forever miss this trip and all the people on it. To a sad Goodbye, Goodbye London, I will love you forever and always!
This is Sophie signing off!
Theatre in London U of A 