It's a Break We Need

The week of March 18-23 was bittersweet for most of us here in London. Bitter because we packed up our rooms at the hostel we've been living in for two months and said goodbye to the friends we all had made, and sweet because we were about to begin our 10-day (which ended up only being 9) Coach Tour around the United Kingdom. 

To start off the week we had the pleasure of seeing Shakespeare's Winter's Tale preformed in Kingston by an all-male company on Tuesday night. First time I've ever seen a play acted out entirely by men, and I must admit, it wasn't much of a  distraction at all! Now you must remember that in Shakespeare's day everything would have been conducted in this manner as well, because women were not allowed to perform on stage. So it was eye-opening to watch a Shakespearian play acted out as it would have been in his day. On the other hand, it was three hours long! Yeah, I wasn't aware of this going into the theatre, and when it was 10:30 and the show had yet to end...well let's just say me eyes were beginning to glaze over. 

We left for our Coach Tour early Friday morning, but on Thursday night most of us went to an 8:00 p.m. (or 20:00 military time, because that's what the British use) showing of....The Hunger Games! Yes, even across the pond most of us couldn't resist the "next big craze". I think with the exception of a few students everyone in our group has read all three of the books. Not to mention that most of our conversations revolve around Hunger Game topics... who would actually survive in The Games, what character is each person, etc. It can get intense. Verdict on the movie? It's the same one I always have. The book is ALWAYS better. Nothing will ever compare or satisfy me. Now if I hadn't read the books (it's a stretch, I know) I would have thought it was a great movie. In the end I'm sure I'll end up buying all the movies.

Ok, off on The Coach Tour!

I can promise you, we did not look this happy after 9 days of sitting on a bus. 

Our first stop on the tour was Stratford-Upon-Avon. Ring any bells? Well for those of with no bells ringing, this is the home of Shakespeare. He was born in Stratford and lived there his whole life. He would commute from here to London, which is quite a journey during the 1600s. Upon our arrival in Stratford we visited Holy Trinity Church where his body lay. 

Boat names inspired by Shakespearian women (which perhaps are too small for you to read).

And William Shakespeare's grave.

Gah, it was really weird to be standing right in front of his grave like that. It was surreal. And I know that under all that concrete just lies the bones and dust of his body, but my mind thinks about the time when he was alive. And when he stood exactly where I stood hundreds of years ago, because that was his church where he attended services. And at one point his voice echoed and rang out amongst those four walls. It's a weird feeling. 

Later that night we saw another one of Shakespeare's plays, Twelfth Night. For those of you who don't know, She's the Man with Amanda Bynes is a modern day version of Twelfth Night. That was also weird; to be in Stratford watching one of Shakespeare's own works was craaaazy. 

That afternoon we went to Mary Arden's Farm, which is a working Tudor farm. Who is Mary Arden you ask? Well, she just happens to be Shakespeare's mummy. We saw sheep, horses, pigs, chickens, ducks, owls, and it was awesome. 

A cute little sheep

HAHAHA!

Ducky

Apothecary Room inside the Arden home

People were REALLY small back then.

Izzy the Barn Owl

Brennon, a European Owl

Yes, I held Brennon! He was a heavy little bird!

Needless to say, I'm all Shakespeare'd out.

Saturday morning we departed from Stratford and began our journey to York, but first we made a couple of stops. First, we stopped at Kenilworth Castle, where I enjoyed a game of tag with my friends on the castle grounds. The castle was basically in ruins, and the sun was shining so beautifully. It was really stunning. 

Kenilworth Castle

The castle garden.

Next, we made a short stop in Coventry, which was demolished in WWII from bombing. 

The Coventry Cathedral

Jenna, Lindsay, Anna and myself inside the ruins of the cathedral.

Our last stop before York was Stamford, which is a Medieval town. We were supposed to walk around the city and get a look at the architecture, you know stuff along those lines. Well, there was a carnival in town. So after taking a much needed bathroom break, we spent the rest of our time in Stamford eating carnival food (it's better in Texas), relaxing on the grass, eating ice cream (it's better in England), and, of course, I rode a carnival ride! Normally I stay away from carnival rides; they creep me out and scare me. BUT I couldn't pass up an opportunity to ride a creepy, scary, carnival ride in England! Did it, gave me a headache, yes I screamed the entire time, and now I never have to do it again. 

I have just given you a lot to process and read, so I'll leave you to it. Stay tuned for more though, because I've only just begun!