Today a small group of us went to Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare, or, as I like to call him, Billy Shakes. It's a cute area, pretty small, and pretty commercial. I was excited to go see Shakespeare's beginnings, and Stratford has really capitalized on its history. To be honest, I was disillusioned by the whole thing. It's basically a big tourist trap. I don't want
to come off sounding to cynical, but I can't avoid it.
Our first stop was to the first home of Shakespeare. It's the Sturbridge Village of England. The house is only semi-original and it's set up to look similar to how it looked back in Shakespeare's day. I got really tired of hearing "This is a recreation to look EXACTLY as it did when Shakespeare was alive!" "You are literally walking in the footsteps of William Shakespeare!" Stop. No I'm not.
So, needless to say, I was a little disgruntled about the whole thing.
Next we went to the Holy Trinity church, where Shakespeare was born and buried. It's a nice church, really. His grave is marked, which his bust overlooks. And naturally there was a gift shop inside the church. Stratford is the Disney Land for Shakespeare.
I wasn't too concerned about seeing much else. It was worth the trip, but once you've been there, you don't need to go again.
Although I would go back for the haunting experience at the Falstaff. It's the most haunted place in England, and apparently 40 spirits inhabit the place. Witchcraft and devil worship are big in Stratford.
This home is the oldest lived-in house in Stratford. All the other houses are gone because Stratford doesn't care about preserving them, which I found surprising, but I suppose I shouldn't have.
It was a good trip, and I'm glad I went, despite the disillusionment.
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