Stratford

For our 10th and 11th day on the trip, we visited the city of Stratford-Upon-Avon: the home of William Shakespeare. Upon arrival, we were guided through the city and shown the river, the three theaters, all the three major streets that run through the city. Though small, the city had a lot to offer and was full of all kinds of shops.

Of course because we are studying Shakespeare, we stopped in to see his home where he was born, his mother's farm, and two of his daughter's houses. Walking where Shakespeare walked may not have brought me to tears or filled my heart with warmth, but it reminded me that he is just an ordinary man who had an ordinary childhood. He didn't attend University. His education stopped after high school. Yet, he was able to produce plays and productions that are still being used hundreds of years later.  That is what makes him unique. The fact that he was able to move so many for so many years.


 

The home where Shakespeare was born

The back of the house and garden where one of Shakespeare's  daughters lived. The gardens at these houses were so beautiful.

Not being a Shakespeare expert, I learned a lot about his home life and what it was like growing up for him with a multitude of siblings. I saw how what he experienced in his own life influenced his writing. He was a countryman and as such, typically used references to the woods, birds, falconry, plants as well as several country festivals in his plays. Along with his country roots, I saw how the events in history that were going on during his time are directly reflected in his works. I had no idea that he wrote about real events. He was a historian just in a different light. In Stratford, we watched the play Henry IV part 2 which literally tells the story of that kingship and his son taking the throne.

Henry IV part 2 play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in
Stratford. I learned that Falstaff is my favorite
character.

During our trip to Stratford, we spent the night at a hostel. This was my first experience with a hostel and I really didn't know what to expect. Basically, hostels are used for anyone traveling that needs just a few nights to stay. They are typically for the youth and fit about six people in each room, sharing a bathroom with the entire floor. It was an interesting experience and I am glad I know what to expect the place to look like for when we stay at a hostel in Dublin. However in Dublin, I will be staying with five other strangers. I'll come back with lots of stories to tell.