Wow, where to start… This truly has been the best month of my life, and I am so appreciative to all of you. How this has flown by is truly bizarre, and it’s freaking me out because how am I writing this in the airport waiting for my flight home? Well! After that tear was shed lets get into my last post for this class.
Upon entering Stratford-Upon-Avon, I was politely reminded how large London is in retrospect. This town seemed to be only like 5 streets wide and has approximately nothing to do besides its monuments. These said “monuments” included William Shakespeare’s birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s cottage, the cathedral where Shakespeare was buried, and New Place. Truly, it did give a beautiful English countryside and buildings dated back to the Tudor period. It was magical, however, to walk amongst the very place where the famous writer once lived, died, and wrote some of the world’s most famous pieces. I loved the vibe that this town gave off and how homey and small-town it was compared to the hustle and bustle of London.
Stratford did give something that London never could, and that is old English charm. London is constantly loud with tube break squeaks, to people talking, to the cars that honk; this place truly is a big city. It was so big that Cate and I used up our entire tube card and had to pay for the last 2 days of our travels on the tube out of pocket! Meanwhile, in Stratford, you could walk the entire town in 20 minutes. I felt connected in Stratford to the history of Shakespeare, English writing, and the culture and heritage of this country. Seeing where Shakespeare lived and learning more about his life made him feel less like a “legend” and more like a real person whom I can reflect on and learn from.
Now, being in Stratford was not the ideal place to end this trip, as London has my heart, but I will forever cherish the memories that all of the cities I have visited have given me. Thank you, Shawn and Susan, for the most unforgettable experience, and so long, London!! I ❤️ London FOREVER!
Theatre in London U of A 