Stratford is SO much different than where we were before in London. It was definitely cool to see all of the Shakespeare stuff, but I was honestly missing London the whole time. I will say the atmosphere and architecture of Stratford were more what I thought London was going to look like, so it was definitely cool walking around there. The cobblestone streets and walkways to the short little cottage-looking buildings. Side note: I did not realize London was going to have tall and fancy glass buildings.
I think it’s great that Stratford has Shakespeare tied to it because that’s about all that town consists of. It was super cute, don’t get me wrong, and honestly had great food, but 3 days was more than enough there. I couldn’t imagine living there… I think I would go stir-crazy from boredom.
Seeing all of the Shakespearean things was super cool and educational, though. I was cracking up at how everyone thought we were going to see present-day Anne Hathaway’s house.🤣 It’s crazy to me how so much of it has been preserved for so long. I will say her house seemed nicer to me than what I had imagined. Maybe that’s because it’s had to be preserved, but it seemed relatively nice for the time period. Learning about the family living and sleeping situations was so interesting. In Shakespeare’s home, one of the tour guides told us about how the dining table had many uses, being a game table and obviously being used to cook and eat on. She also told us how women used to make beer and sell it out of their homes. That would go crazy for some people today. I do wonder if everyone was really short back then or something because I’m average height for a girl and i was having to duck in almost every doorway.
This whole trip has just been absolutely incredible, and I could not have asked for a better study abroad experience. Getting to see so much theater was just crazy, and I feel so lucky to have been able to do that. Everything was so much fun, but it wouldn’t have been half the trip without the people I spent it with. I have thought so many times about how different the trip would be if I went another year, and it just wouldn’t be the same. I hope to be friends with these people forever!! So, so grateful for everything!!!
Theatre in London U of A 