Warwick & Stratford

Last weekend we went on a day trip to Warwick Castle and nearby Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare. The castle was cool, they had a huge trebuchet that they shot off every day - but not before having the longest, cheesiest introduction speech to it possible. And it only threw a medium-sized rock, I was disappointed. We almost made friends with a duck while waiting for it, though, but then the duck ran away.



Also, I saw my first up-close swan, and I was terrified.



Then we went to Stratford. We first went into the church which held the grave of Shakespeare, which was pretty cool, it was a great church.




Then we went to Shakespeare's birthplace, or his "might-have-been-birthplace," which was not too exciting. After that we just walked around town for a while, which is a place that would have been nice, quiet and sleepy town that no one talked about, if not for Shakespeare, which added the touristy element to the town, unfortunately. At night we went to "The Merchant of Venice" and it was very, very good.

Then on Saturday we went to a football (soccer) game. It was very interesting, how crazy the English get about their football. The pubs around the area had signs at the door that said things like "Only QPR ('our' team) fans allowed" and "No team colors of either side allowed". And when we went in, they took the caps off of any water bottles or anything, so that we couldn't throw them at each other. The section we were sitting in was pretty quiet, but the spots behind the goals were pretty crazy. Lots of chanting, and obscene gestures, and 6-year olds behind me that knew more about the game than I did.



On Sunday I went to this really cool photo exhibit, called "Life Before Death." There was a series of 24 pairs of photos of hospice patients. There was one of them right before they died, usually a week or two, and then one after their death. Really striking and eye-opening. They had stories by each photo, of the person's life, and their mindset before death -- some were at peace, and some were panicked and angry.

Yesterday I went to the Camden Market, which is a labyrinth of stores selling all sorts of things, that happens every day. It was crazy. Then we went to trivia night again at O'Neills, and failed to win. Again. But I did win what turned out to only be 30 pence from gambling, playing Deal or No Deal with Ken & Paul. That seems to be my only source for income since we can't legally get a job, so I'm putting all my trust in gambling.

This weekend is ANDREW BIRD!!!!!.....on Saturday night. I'm very, very excited for the show. I'm planning to get there plenty early to wait, and try and get a good spot. Then next weekend is the start of 10 day break, and Iceland. Still don't know exactly what I'm going to do when I get there, but I have a few plans narrowed down.