Well, no wonder Shakespeare was a genius

I sincerely apologize for my lack of blogging- school is back up and running and...I've been lazy. So I decided to take a break from reading, dissertation research, and reruns of My Boys (RIP circa 2010) and decided to write a lil something.

Sometime back in April, I had an anxiety attack. (It was most likely while writing my essays, as anxiety was easy to come by at that point). I had a sudden worry that I hadn't traveled nearly enough and by the time I got back to London from my trip back home, it would be seven months abroad with very little traveling. So as someone who handles anxiety like a champ and doesn't at all suffer from subconscious night sweats or terrifying stress nightmares, I took care of this problem with an obvious solution . I booked back to back to back to back trips. This is an account of my first one:

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

Day One:

Due to some last minute margaritas that led to a later than expected night before, my trip to Stratford began in a slightly sluggish manner. Luckily, the wonderful folks who run the Emsley Guest House let me in much earlier than allowed so I could lounge around and enjoy the view:

It's a horribly lame way to start to a story, but I basically had a four hour lay down session, ate crackers, and watched TV. (All I needed to complete this scene was some Hawaii 5-0...don't knock it until you try it. Scott Caan('s butt) can make even an inanimate object watch his show). 

My personal breakfast table. Suck it, couples. 

ANYWAY, once I regained normal brain activity, I went out for a stroll around town before heading to the Royal Shakespeare Theater to see a show.

River Avon

These swans were totally posing for me.

It's hard to see in this picture, but the boats were all named after Shakespeare characters. Just don't get in the Ophelia one, amiright?? (Hamlet joke).

I found these gems inside the RSC Gift Shop. My kinds of gifts.

Billy S.'s words are still great.

He said it, not me. 

I got to see As You Like It, which was AMAZING. Especially since the music was by Laura Marling, one of my all time favorites.

All the world's a stage, kids

Night shot. 

This is someone's walk home EVERY NIGHT. My walk home back in NYC included trying not to step in the vomit on the subway steps and walking quickly past the homeless guy who always complimented my butt. (Can't help what I got, sir....I also just realized I may have reached my quota for discussing behinds).

After a great performance and a gorgeous stroll back to the B & B, my first day ended on a great note: Homemade biscuits! Food is always the way to my heart (and a great review on TripAdvisor).

Day 2:

This day was also known as Let's-go-to-every-piece-of-land-Shakespeare-has-ever-stepped-foot-on Day. First up, Shakespeare's birthplace:

Second stop was Anne Hathaway's cottage (NO, NOT THAT ONE. Anne was Shakespeare's wife):

This is what happens when you travel alone. Embarrassing selfies. But I had to have at least one picture of me in the actual town. It's called proof, people. I didn't just get all these from the internet. (Though that would be cheaper).

Greetings!

A few pictures of the gorgeous landscape around the cottage:

I did a lot of frolicking here.

Third Stop was Shakespeare's mother Mary Arden's family farm. Still working! (Trust me, I took a wrong turn and ended up in a cattle field). 

Fourth Stop was Shakespeare's daughter and son-in-law's house. They did pretty well for the 1600s:

Final Shakespeare familial stop: Nash's house, where Shakespeare last lived. You can't see in this picture, but there were bees EVERYWHERE. Note why the picture is taken from outside the garden. (I have a fear, ok?!)

Shakespeare's grave. OoOoOoOoOo

After all the house/farm/grave excitement, I decided to have some afternoon tea. I found this adorable 1940s teahouse that served everything like it was 1942. It was called The Fourteas. (GET IT?!)

Note the awesome menu below that was fashioned as an old ration book. 

Final stop: Dinner at The Windmill Inn: One of the oldest pubs in Stratford. First licencee was in 1720. Notice how Jane took care of business in 1733. 

 This was my final goodbye treat on the train ride home:

Stratford-Upon-Avon was definitely one of my favorite places I have ever visited. (Not just because of

homemade biscuits...though that helps). I highly recommend for anyone to go visit and do some frolicking on your own. Don't worry, no one will judge you...to your face. Just channel Scott Caan.