Here it is, 5 days from my last post and I haven't told you guys anything! (Unless you look at facebook, because there are lots of photos up). I've been to Buckingham Palace (quick stop, just for some pictures), Trafalgar Square (very cool), The Victoria and Albert Museum (one of the best, I think), Harrods (Hilariously extravagant and fun), a cruise down the River Thames (lovely), Tower of London (informative and love those tower ravens!), "Ivanov" at the Domner West End (great show!), shopping in Oxford and Piccadilly Circus (SO many people!), saw Big Ben and the Houses of Parliment (huge and fancy!), and took a bus tour of the whole city. Today I'm off to Notting Hill for a bit of wandering before hitting up the National Portrait Gallery and Inigo Jones' "actors church". I may go to St. Paul's Cathedral but I'm not sure I really want to. We'll see what's going on.

Miss you all and London is awesome but it'll be good to get home and catch up on some more sleep!

<3 Nat

London calling....

Yay! I've made it! I'm updating from London (Barnet, London, to be precise, in the Finchley Central neighborhood).
Friday was my last day at RSC. I'll miss it! They were all such good sports and so talented. I'm looking forward to getting back to my work at the Huntington, but walking down Mass. Ave in the morning doesn't compare to saying hello to the ducks along the Avon Canal!

I spent this past weekend saying goodbye to Stratford and visiting Birmingham on what was by far the worst day weather-wise since I arrived. I'm sure Birmingham is very nice on a sunny day but in hurricane-force winds, cold air, and a constant misty rain, it was actually kind of miserable. I did visit a really cool shopping centre to take in some British fashion (ugh I wanted to buy EVERYTHING. They have the cutest clothes here!) and I treked over to the museum, only to find it was closing. Another hour spent wandering in the rain was enough, thanks. It was back to Stratford, where amazingly it was no longer rainy and turned out to be a nice evening. I spent it in bed watching TV, trying to warm up again!!

Today I took a 4pm train out of Stratford, which was re-routed to London Paddington instead of London Marlyebone due to track work, which meant I had to switch trains. Snafu #1. Then I got into Paddington with my GINORMOUS suitcase and lugged up a ramp only to realize the Tube line I wanted was back in the opposite direction, so I doubled back, fighting crowds to get to a staircase that I lugged my bag up and stared in vain at the walls, searching for a way to buy a Tube travelcard. I finally asked someone who said I had to go to the gate, tell them I wanted to go through to buy a ticket (WTF, put some on the other side!) and then go back through and downstairs. Did that and back tracked to my platform, down some stairs, only to realize the line I wanted was closed. UGH! Back upstairs, back through the gate (to the bemused stare of the attendant- you couldn't miss me) and through a very bustling Paddington Station, following signs to the opposite side of the place where I could catch a District and Circle Line train. Went up an elevator, down some stairs (CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK...BANG...here's where the side handle of the suitcase snapped off...shit. Thank goodness it wasn't a more important handle, like the pull one or the one on top!), down two escalators, and onto the platform (FINALLY). Crowded on there with a million other suitcase-laden folks and got off at King's Cross-St. Pancreas station (OMG HARRY POTTER STATION) and had a go at my fourth transfer attempt of the day. Up some more stairs (oof, I packed WAY too much heavy stuff!), down a bunch more stairs (ugh, what's with all these damn stairs) and through a series of tunnels to finally find the Northern Line out to Finchley! AMEN. Thank goodness Christine was there to meet me and help drag me the last mile back to her place (really, like a mile. She's as far from the Tube as my house in Stratford was from RSC...I'm a WALKING MACHINE! WHOOO!)

Luckily, Christine will be working mostly evenings, so tomorrow morning/early afternoon we're going to South Bank area and possibly downtown for a bit of shopping. Yay!

More to come. Pictures of a very rainy Birmingham will be on Facebook soon.

Love,
Nat

RSC! I'll miss thee!

Tomorrow is my last day of work at RSC. This week has FLOWN by and I'm sad to be leaving all of a sudden! I was just getting to know folks better and now I've got to go :( Ah, well, I'm excited about London and I'm going to meet my friend Philippa there on Monday night for a Harry Potter Pub Quiz! YESSSS.

Today I saw the dress rehearsal for "Love's Labours Lost". It is a really spectacularly beautiful show (especially the very last moment). The set is dominated by a huge, very realistic tree that can be climbed and there are shards of colored plexiglass hanging all over like willow leaves. It's very lush and the costumes are incredible. The props looked mighty good too! The show itself is a bit weird....not my favorite Shakespeare...but it was fun to see the stuff all together on stage and there were some good moments of acting and of comedy.

I worked on my dog brain a little more today (it's getting noticibly more realistic...pictures will come when it's done tomorrow afternoon! EWW) and finished up my apple and pear cores/peels. They looked mightly real for a foot or so back. Yay!

That's it, really. Saturday I'll likely pack up my stuff and wander around Stratford. I've sort of exhausted my sight-seeing options for the area (I could take the bus up to a big manor house outside town but I don't know how into that I am). Maybe I'll catch a movie or something. I'll probably end up in a coffee shop for a while or if it's nice, down by the river (I love the River Avon! I'll miss it!)

That's all.
Love,
Nat

Dog brains, dungeons, and gold leaf

Hi again. Sorry it's been a while but I've not felt motivated to update for whatever reason. This past weekend was spent gallivanting around Stratford on Saturday afternoon and heading for Warwick Castle on Sunday. Warwick is a castle that, according to the semi-reliable but informative Wikipedia, was built in 1068 within or adjacent to the Anglo-Saxon buhr of "Warwick" It was used as a fortification until the early 17th century, when Sir Fulke Greville converted it to a country house. It was owned by the Greville family, who became earls of Warwick in 1759, until 1978. From 1088, the castle traditionally belonged to the Earl of Warwick. It held many prisoners including King Edward IV when he was overthrown at one point (only to be restored later). Thanks to my Google search, you can visit the castle yourself, by doing a 360 degree tour here: http://www.our360tour.com/warwick/warwick_castle.htm


It's a really spectacular sight, even with some of the tacky bits that the Tussaud Group has added (the place is run by folks from Madam Tussaud's, so there are wax figures inside and some rather hokey bits, i.e. sound effects and LOTS of toy swords to buy). The castle was voted Britain's Best and the cool bit that the Tussaud Group has added is a working, full scale, authentic trebuchet! They launch it off twice daily. I managed to catch the 4pm launch, where they flung a large ball of fire across a field. I was shocked at how high it went! And it flew a very far distance. This is what the thing looks like:
It is the largest working one in the world! The castle also has most of it's areas open to explore which is really neat. I went down into the dungeons, where you can still see the stratches on the walls from prisoners marking the days spent there. CREEPY. And I climbed over 250 steps up the rampart to get a great view back down on the town of Warwick and the castle grounds. They've even got original 18th century furnishings throughout and some pieces dating back to the Tudor and Medieval periods. The Great Hall is chock full of armor and swords and lots of other amazing pieces of history. They've got a saddle and handkerchief that belonged to Elizabeth I (she visited the castle) and a child-sized set of armor.

I've been busy at the RSC this week. We're in tech so there's been some notes to take care of. I did a lot of gold-leafing, making a lance look a bit more decorative with a broken gold finish. I spray painted baskets to look darker and moldier, and lashed rope to make a carrying strap for one of them. Today I carved foam to look like a dog brain for another show that RSC is doing about philosopher/scientist Thomas Hobbes. It was neat to make, but the research bit was a little gruesome! :-P I also made a LOT of fake Italian money today (but it looks very real...ahh counterfiting! Such fun!)

That's all for now! I miss home a little today but I'm looking forward to seeing this show and to going on to London on Sunday!
<3 Nat

Updates!

Hiya,
Sorry I didn't get to updating anything last night. I was online, but it was a bit later than usual because I went to see "Taming of the Shrew" down at the RSC's Courtyard Theatre. It was a very good production with a really stellar and adorable set that began as a modern seedy motel/nightclub and turned around into an Italian house/manor/etc. They did the bit with Sly and the players at the beginning in modern dress, and Sly is cajoled into playing Petruchio with a streetwalker girl playing Katherine. The players arrive in style, with the back of a truck appearing to come right through the back wall and the back opening to reveal all the actors with little minature Italian buildings that they roll out to make the city! There are stools all around too that look like little archways and parts of buildings. A domed building has it's top taken off like a food chafing dish and reveals a platter of fruit which is then lifted as the rest of the roof drops four ways to make a table!! It was so cute and clever! The production itself was quite cruel in it's playing. A bit of a portrait of abuse, with none of Petruchio's "taming" done in jest. He was beating Kate and his servants the whole show until they're all broken down. However, at the end after Kate's submission to man, the whole play dissolved back into modern day and the players strip Petruchio/Sly of his costume, leaving him standing in only his underwear as they pack the truck back up and Kate climbs in with them, tossing the old Sly clothes out and looking at him in disgust. As the truck door closes, Petruchio/Sly is left clutching his clothes and looks up in horror as the lights pull down on his face and then go out. It was a well-done ending. They stayed true to Shakespeare's writing of the play and it's mysogenistic ideals and making Kate's speech honest and real while not having it all turn out awkwardly sexist at the end by adding that bit in. I liked the actors for the most part (one of the servants being my favorite- he was HILARIOUS. Bravo, Biondello!) and it was a fun and somewhat distrubing night at the theatre! :-P

It's the weekend now! YAY! I could have volunteered to go in on Saturday to work but I am taking the time to hang out, get some laundry done, and possibly go to Warwick Castle for a bit of medieval fun. Next week, tech will be in full swing for "Love's Labours Lost" and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll get to see dress rehearsal 'cause I won't be around for Press Night which is when the company usually gets to go. Christine, no promises on autographs. It looks like I won't get to see Hamlet (it's sold out for the rest of eternity) and I've got the only potential one already promised to Marcus :-P Can't be bugging the man during tech to sign more than one thing! I can get a poster or something though, if you want.

I got to see the costume shop, armory, and millenry (hats) departments yesterday too. They had all the Love's Labours costumes hanging about and they are STUNNING. There are lots of antique fabrics, beadwork, and incredibly intricate layering. I saw David Tennett's doublet up close and it is really incredible. It's all handstiched blue suede, with slashing all over it and a grey-blue silk peeping through, another layer of lining, and then the inner lining of the jacket. So gorgeous. One of the dresses for the girls nearly made me faint. It's an incredible dark sapphire blue with orange/red themed flower embroidery in a large print all over. So so so pretty. Ugh. I wish I could wear it! Armory was neat. They've got some suits of real leather armor with intricate stamping and embossing all over. They also do the boots and shoes there. So cool.

Anyway, I'm off to eat dinner and then maybe head down to the river to read or something. It's a lovely evening and I can sleep in a bit tomorrow! Yay!

Love,
Nat

The late president Kennedy, or why the UK is awesome.

Hi all,
So much to talk about today. Work was much much better today. I'm nearly finished my damn swords (oy! I'm getting sick of them) and it'll all be much more worthwhile when I get to see them on the stage in an RSC production. Tomorrow I'm moving into the crafts room (YESSSS!!!) to work on printing some patterns on fabric for a huge snake puppet. That's more my speed. I did get to do a lot of gold leafing today, which is good practice. I've only done a tiny bit before and today I covered the swords. I also used a router, which angles the edges of wood and gives a nice finish, and I'm glad to not be so fearful of that tool anymore. Unfortunately, I'm still rubbish at the band-saw, but I've honed my sanding/filing skills....I've probably sanded for a total of 3 full hours over the past few days. Whew.

Okay, so some interesting observations...first, on living enviromentally green. Now, in Toronto and I guess in other major cosmopolitan cities outside the US, recycling is prominant. In Toronto they have recycling alongside every trash can on city streets. Among people in homes and businesses in Canada, I haven't noticed anyone recycling more than the average place in the US. Even with all the push for greener living in the States, the average person doesn't do a ton.
The woman I'm staying with does more than her fair share of recycling. She keeps a container by the sink for bits of foil, like from the top of yogurt containers. Every bit of plastic gets rinsed and recycled. The trash bins are TINY in British homes because they recycle so much. They put out one large can of trash (likely not full) and one equally huge can of recycling for the collectors. One woman I spoke to at the RSC composts all her organic waste and recycles almost everything she uses. The only things that go in the trash are tea bags, occasionally bits that can't be separated for recycling (mixed metal and paper containers, etc), and dust/dirt. She sometimes doesn't even put a bin of trash out weekly to get collected and instead can fill both with recycling.

The RSC is just as earth friendly. For being a huge company, they've taken the time to instate recycling in their shops. What shocks me most are the sinks/bathrooms where there is a green bag for recycling paper towels! Think of what kind of change that would make if places in the US did that! I never even thought about the fact that you can recycle paper towels, but of course you can! They also have a huge line of these green bags on one wall of the shop with labels above indicating "Plastic- thin/flexible", "Plastic-hard", "Paper", "Cardboard", "Metal- foils", "Metal- solid", and even "Textiles"!! Every bag is tied and taken weekly to the county recycling centre where it is all renewed. Amazing. The prop shop goes even further by keeping a small bin for organic waste that one lady takes home to compost and use in her garden.

Also, I should note that a huge amount of Brits walk to work, which is not unheard of elsewhere too, but I would say RSC is of equal distance to the place I'm staying then it is to Nobscot, and yet when I worked near there, I drove every day. People would think it strange to drive that far, but will accept a ride if offered. Bikes are popular too.

Anywhoo, that's a bit of green-thinking, with love from the UK.

More observations on culture here....tea. Now, I know the UK loves tea and that Christine loves it too and came back drinking loads but I always figured it was a bit of a stereotype. No, it is not. They are obsessed with tea. I'm drowing in the stuff. I'm lucky I like it, because it's offered to me several times a day, and is part of two mandatory break times at RSC when we all line up at the little machine and pop in tea packets and stand about, sipping and chatting. The moment I walk into the kitchen here at Trish's, I'm offered tea because someone is usually making it. I drink probably 5 cups a day, which is a lot, but nothing compared to some folks here. They really do drink it non-stop. And when it is offered, no one refuses. The designer came by to check out props today and was promptly offered tea, and sipped as he perused the things we've made. You're never offered a drink, or coffee, or water, or anything else....always tea. Funny.

Lastly, I met a really awesome girl named Eve today. She's from Ireland and lives there but she flies into Birmingham and takes the train down to Stratford about once every month or so to spend a few days working at RSC props during the busiest times. She's really friendly and asked if she could tag along for my walk home so she could see the river path into town. We chatted along the way and she told me that in Ireland, they really love Boston, mostly because of the Kennedys. Many Irish know someone in Boston or have visited the place themselves but they aren't interested in the typical things Americans come to see (i.e. stuff related to the American Revolution). They really want to see stuff related to the Kennedys. Eve said that it was back in 1962 when JFK visited Ireland and people STILL talk about it. They also called him "the late president Kennedy," as if he died yesterday. They really love Ted Kennedy too and are sad he's been ill. Funny, huh? Apparently they also celebrate Fourth of July there. Like, they recognize it in honor of America. Pubs will have a special meal or something, and the church will hang a little Fourth of July banner or something and say a prayer for us. I found that a bit odd but touching. I told her that Americans probably couldn't tell her the first thing about Ireland aside from Leprachauns, and possibly that Bono is from there. She (and everyone else here) knows a ton about American. She asked if I was Democrat or Republican. I'm lucky I know a bit about British politics (party names and current and recent P.M.s) but they know a ton. They don't like Sarah Palin ("She's a redneck!" one woman exclamed at lunch) and they feel hopeful about Obama like many of us in the States do. And they hope he'll be beloved like JFK....or at least Ireland does. haha

Love,
Nat

I was thinking to myself yesterday while at the RSC workshop that the people here seem to work awfully slowly/spend hours and hours and hours on the same project. Today, I realized why. Everything they make is like a little precious artisan-crafted jewel that is ready to be in a museum. Now, part of that is because they are in a thrust stage and the audience can be literally only a few feet away from the props (unlike at the Huntington where you've got a good 15 feet or so of "blur room", so little bits don't show. I spent ALL day today working on these wooden swords. I cut one of them out twice, only to mess it up twice and have to re-draw it a third time for the head guy to cut out. I didn't fare as badly on the other but I spent AGES sanding and filing it to perfection (and really, it is still flawed but not terribly so and the way it is decorated, it won't show).

I feel a bit inadequate at times and have to remind myself that I'm just volunteering and anything I do right helps them and anything I fuck up puts them no further behind than they would be if I wasn't around! My boss, John, is really sweet and even when I'm making a total mess of things, he'll say something like "Well, we can't quite use it like that but that's not to say it's your fault. It's the nature of the beast, I'm afraid" or "It's not you, it's just a bit of trial and error, you see?" That's very reassuring to know he's nice about it, even when he probably thinks I'm a bit dim! haha. He did say last week they had a work-experience girl who didn't even know how to operate a paper-cutter (SERIOUSLY.) and so she basically spent her two day visit watching everyone work. I'm glad I'm a bit more useful than that!

I'm CRAVING being moved from the wood/metal area of the shop into the crafts room where they do all the paper props, books, and fabric work. I'm much better at that. Hopefully I'll get to do some gold leafing tomorrow too. Or something! No more wood, please!!

I took the bus from down by the workshops this evening into town centre and then walked down to the Courtyard Theatre. I knew that 'Hamlet' was being performed tonight, which means the place becomes a madhouse (David Tennett, of Doctor Who fame plays the lead), but I didn't realize how early it started. I had hoped to get there before the crowds but I didn't. I'd made the trip, so I wanted to get into the gift shop for a look around, so fighting the bunches of other folks in the tiny shoppe, I picked up a few things (here's looking at you, Amanda, Marcus, and Kirsten!) as well as a t-shirt for myself and then spent a bit of time down by the river, watching the birds. There are lots of swans, who are nice to watch. Their long necks are so funny and they move them about, watching you and expecting food. It reminds me eerily of velocaraptors! They are so used to humans that they'll come right up to water's edge and look at you, waiting for bread. They hissed at a passing kayak but didn't seem to mind me being only feet from them!

That's all for tonight.
Ciao!
<3 Nat
PS- If you read this, post a comment and say hello :-P

Hiya all,
Just home from my first day at RSC, and I'm 'knackered' as they say here (tired, that is). It was really a cool place, though smaller than I expected (the size of the shop, I mean) and interestingly enough, compared to most shops in the US, the age demographic is much higher. Most of the guys there have been working at the place since they were teens, and they're all in the 40-60yr. old range, so in the next ten years I'm sure they'll have a major turn-over. Seems as if once you start at RSC, you're there for life, as compared to companies in the US where folks (esp. carpenters and people not in the higher leadership positions) move on every 5 years or so.

You enter the building and go up some stairs to the main carpentry shop. The metals shop is below, right through the entrance. Paints is behind carp. and then props is through some double doors where they've got a nice shop of their own with an office off of it and a soft-goods room for upholstery and crafts. I saw a bit of stock (GLORIOUS!) and had a quick tour and then it was off to work. I spent the morning sewing coins onto the reins for a camel....yes, you read that right. In "Love's Labours Lost" there is a bit where folks are riding in on animals (camel, leopard, elephant, and horse) and so they wear these foam/wood sorta inner-tubes around their middle with a large costume bit on top and fake legs over the sides. They were BEAUTIFULLY made, all ornately shaped from very expensive dense foam and a plywood skeleton. They each have a bit that moves (the camel has a lever to flick his tail and his head lifts up) and they really are stunning. Hopefully once the show opens they'll be a photo of them online somewhere to share.

After lunch I braided leather for several hours to make wrist-bands for 18 Morris dancing sticks. Last bit of the day I laid out some swords onto wood from a scale drawing.

First fun thing about RSC....and I guess England in general...we take tea break at 10:30, lunch at 1pm, and tea break at 3:30. In total, almost 1:40 of break time, which is a good deal more than at the Huntington (1 hour there, 45min for lunch and 15min at 3pm).

Second fun thing...so when I was packing a map, my mom said to me: don't worry if you get lost, at least they speak English there. True, but it is still taking some time for my brain to adjust to this accent of English! There are folks from all over the country at RSC, and I can understand some better than others. I think my boss is from Birmingham (that's my guess) and there are times where I have to pay very close attention to decifer his meaning. He also talks/sings to himself most of the day, or chatters to you as he works ("That looks about right, eh Natalie?") so half the time it's nonsense and it doesn't matter what he actually is saying, so I just nod and smile and say "yeah" a lot! Today, he said to me "Do you know how to plate?" (or at least that's what I heard!). He was working with a router, so I said, "Oh, like router?" and he looked confused and said "no, plate, like you plate your hair." Then I realized he was saying "plait", as in "braid" and I was like "oh, yeah of course!" He showed me how to set it up and such, which wasn't needed (I'm a champion braider!) but after my look of stupidity as he said "plait," I can imagine he thought I was a bit dim for a second! haha

That's all for now. Don't know what tomorrow brings, but we'll see. It's a long walk to work (about 15-20min) so I'll try to get to bed early. I may walk down to the market and get some more snacks....I don't think I bought enough at Tesco (certainly not enough for breakfasts, anyway...what was I thinking, bypassing all the cereals/oatmeals?!)


Some pictures of the props shop, from RSC's Open House tour:
The dead pheasants and Ophelia's flowers from another production of "Hamlet".


Isn't the phone booth so cute?! There's actually a phone in there, so you can go make a call in peace while all the tools are going. They built it, but it has parts from real old phones too.



Love,
Nat

A very quick update, as I'm tired and need my sleep before I start work tomorrow! This afternoon I visited Shakespeare's birthplace. It's the house where he was born and grew up, where his father had a gloving and wool business, and where he opened an inn for a brief while after his father's death. It was really lovely to see (we weren't allowed to take pictures, sorry!) and about 70% of the house is original, including the stone floor in the parlor and much of the beam work. Amazing! The gardens out back are lovely, but not original. There used to be a large stove, tanning hut, etc. out back.

Next was a walk down to Hall's Croft, where Shakespeare's daughter Susanna and her husband Dr. Hall lived. It was much less crowded though equally interesting as an example of a later style home. There was a neat little exhibit on medical practice of the day and another gorgeous garden out back where I ate lunch (a cheese and tomato toastie!)

After that, I caught the last 30 mins of open visiting at Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare was baptized and buried. It was really gorgeous. There were some girls visiting who looked at the grave and shrugged and one said "he was just a man". True, but if you're in the theatre, he really is sort of a god! hehe

My last stop of the day was the Stratford Brass Rubbing Centre where you can pay a few pounds to make a brass rubbing of a replica of an ancient brass plate. It was relaxing and fun to color for a bit. And then it was home to enjoy my ready-made Yorkshire Pudding, some cider, and finally up to bed.

Night all!
More photos are on facebook :)

<3 Nat

Today I made the great adventure to Tesco’s- the equivalent of a Walmart and Stop&Shop combo. It’s got all the food, wine, beer, clothes, minor electronics, drug store supplies, etc that you could ever want. Not particularly the most sustainable or friendly sort of place (like Walmart) but it was cheap, and while I’m here fighting the exchange rate, I might as well go for the cheap stuff. I managed to ring up £17.20 of food, which was quite a deal. Some stuff is much cheaper here, it seems, and others are more costly. I had a hard time finding sandwich turkey slices (I wasn’t brave enough to do the meat counter…I know how much a half pound of turkey feeds, but I didn’t want to try to order in metric! I guess I could have figured it out by the prices, but whatever. I found it pre-packed eventually). Also, tuna fish was a conundrum. It comes in either sunflower seed oil, brine, thousand island dressing, mayonnaise and corn (!?), or fresh water (what I wanted). It took me a good minute of standing there to locate the individual cans of fresh water stuff. They had tuna mixed with all sorts of other things too…vegetables (normal), pineapple (huh?), etc.

I suppose it’s a bit like going to the market in Canada- there are foods and brands that I recognize (Nature’s Trail Granola Bars! Nestle!) and others I am not sure of. There are LOTS of pork products. Pork pies, pork balls, ham ham and more ham in the meat aisle. Seafood is popular as a flavor (prawn crisps- aka prawn flavored chip snacks BLAH), I saw bacon-flavored crackers, and strange fruit flavorings (lots of black cherry, gooseberry, elderberry, etc).

My one splurge was a frozen Yorkshire pudding with beef filling. I’ll likely have it for dinner tomorrow and I am waiting in delightful anticipation. The thing was only like £2.50 but it was the most expensive individual item that I bought.

Last night I had cod fish and chips from a little hole-in-the-wall place down a side street of town. I came upon it completely by accident but it was worth it. For not too many quid I got a HUGE piece of greasy fried cod filet and a heaping pile of chips complete with salt and vinegar poured on top, all wrapped in white paper. Paired with a ginger beer (like…gingery soda), it was enough to satisfy me for the rest of the night as I sat on a bench in the shopping centre and picked away at it. In fact, it was really enough to feed a family and I only made a small dent in it. I felt bad about tossing it in the bin but it was too greasy and soaked to re-heat another day with good results. I think that’s probably my fill of fish and chips for the time here. Maybe I’ll try a place in London.

Yesterday, after my Starbucks update, I did about three hours walking and sightseeing around Stratford. I wandered the streets, peering at Shakespeare’s birthplace and coming down to the river Avon. The town is smaller than I expected and everything has been an easy walk. The weather is GORGEOUS. Perfectly sunny and not too hot or cold. I made my way to the little statue memorial for Shakespeare and then over a bridge on the river. There was a half-hour river cruise for £3 (A DEAL!) so I climbed on to the boat and took a leisurely motor back and forth, looking up at Old Trinity Church and all the swans and geese floating along with us. It’s no wonder RSC’s big theatre is called “The Swan”- there are swans all over the river bank at the foot of the theatre!

Last night, I came home excited and ready for a good sleep. I watched a bit of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ (aka Dancing with the Stars...except I didn’t recognize any of these stars save for one guy who is a reporter!) with Trish and drank some sparkling Roset (yum!) before I plodded off to bed around 8:30pm. I had planned on reading, but the bed was SO comfortable and I basically passed out until 10am when my alarm woke me. And then it was off to Tesco, as you’ve already read about. Whew!

Today I plan to visit some of the big sights- Shakespeare’s house and gardens, Old Trinity Church, and the Courtyard Theatre (where I’ll likely find some internet connection to post this- I’m writing it in Word in my room on Percy St). I also plan to try to find a little something for Kirsten, mum, and Amanda. Maybe Marcus too if there is something I think he’ll like, but I think I’ll find something in London more his speed. Dad too.

PS- actually, I'm updating from the lobby of the Best Western! While looking for a coffee shop that I know has free Wi-Fi, I actually found this place that I'd seen as a free WiFi spot online too. YIPPEE!

Lots more photos on my facebook!

Bye! <3>

The eagle has landed, I repeat the eagle has landed.

Hi all! I'm updating this from the Starbucks in Stratford. Terribly lame choice of place for a first coffee and update, but I can't find any other decent Wi-Fi places and I supposed this will do until I find one that is free (aka the theatre).

My flight left at 7:20pm on Friday night. I, of course, got flagged for extra security at Logan so I got a full search, pat down, and explosives swipes on my belongings. The people at the security were actually really nice and funny, and I made light of the situation with them and it was all very fast and painless. They even said they wish they had more folks like me come through!

The plane was the largest I've ever flown on, and the view across the wing was insane. I still don't understand how planes are possible, especially ones of that size and weight! Haha. The flight was fairly smooth with minimal turbulence in the middle. While on the plane, I jotted down this 'post':

I'm 'blogging' from 36000 ft! Well...at least I'm writing this all down to upload later. The flight thus far has been grand. I've got not only a little entertainment system in my seat back, but also TWO seats, TWO pillows, and TWO blankets. The man sitting next to me for take-off abadoned his seat soon after for another one in the back because his video screen was broken. So, luxury for me! SWEET. I watched "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day", which I enjoyed a good deal, and then I slept until I woke to find a tray placed next to me with breakfast. I was confused, because it was near midnight in eastern standard time, and only 4:50am in UK time) but the croissant they gave me was incredible. Actually, dinner that was served after take-off was surprisingly good too (chicken and potatoes). I think airline food has actually improved! (GASP!)

Back on the ground in London (a very smooth landing!), I made my way through a long line at immigration and had a brief moment of panic when the man asked if I had any papers proving my volunteer position at RSC, but he let me though and all was well. My bag was waiting in a "Priority Bags" section when I got to the claim area, which was a nice surprise! Heathrow is really well laid out and has clear signs. I found my way to the Tube and checked the instructions I'd printed out before I left, but soon discovered a cheaper and better way to go, so I lugged my stuff onto the Piccadilly line, transferred at Piccadilly Circus up to the Bakerloo line and arrived at the train terminal where I wasted 2.5 hours waiting for my train.

The trip up to Stratford wasn't bad. Lots of lovely views of the countryside and of LOTS of sheep. The lady I'm staying with was there when I arrived and she is very nice. She drove me around the area a bit to point out things before helping me settle into my room. She showed me how to use her shower (you have to turn on the hot water heater) and the water pressure is abismilally low, but I'll manage. It's a very cute house. I promise I'll take pictures later.

So, now I'm downtown for the rest of the afternoon/evening to explore a bit until I am too worn out to manage any more! Hehe :)

Also, I should mention that Starbucks here is lovely. They give you your drink in a mug if you choose to dine in the cafe. And they have much better looking treats. Also they have some different drinks...like hazelnut hot cocoa and blended blackcurrant and raspberry juice. YUM. I'll try some place more authentic later ;)

Love you all! Leave me notes and emails.

Cheers!
-Nat

I'm leavin', on a jet plane...

Oooh man...4 hours to go! I'm letting my laptop battery get all charged up and at 4:30, we're headed to pick up my dad and then into the airport. I'm not really nervous at all, which I guess is great, and I'm excited but not like crazy excited. I think I'll be really overwhelmed and excited when we land at Heathrow and I'm finally on the train up to Stratford-Upon-Avon. I haven't taken a real train like that in a long time so I'm excited for the ride (although it'll be like 3am my time, so I may be just sleeping!). I got this anti-jet-lag stuff from Whole Foods that some family friends recommended, so we'll see if that helps over the next few days.

Okay, not much more to say. I may update from the airport waiting area if there is wireless. If not, my next post will be from overseas. Keep checking back :)

Cheers!
<3 Nat

Days creep closer!

It's all happening so fast! I leave in less than one week (FRIDAY!) and I've barely done any prep work beyond booking my tickets and skimming some guide books. This week will be a whirlwind of packing in the evenings after I get home from work. Speaking of work, I'm the season Professional Intern at the Huntington Theatre Co. here in Boston and our first show of the season, "How Shakespeare Won the West" just opened last night, followed by a fabulous party. When all things are Shakespeare in my life, I can't help but get excited for this trip. I bought a copy of "Love's Labour's Lost" (the show I'll be working on at RSC) and "Shakespeare: The World as a Stage" by Bill Bryson for my reading on the plane/train.

The woman I'm living with in Stratford doesn't have internet, so hopefully I can bum a connection off of a neighbor's wireless or I'll be using a local cafe or the theatre to update this. I'll try! I promise.

Until Thursday, when I'll probably update in the middle of the night because I won't be sleeping...farewell!

The Shakespeare I have known...

It seems all aspects of my life as I begin to prepare for this trip come back around to Shakespeare. I just started working at the Huntington Theatre Company just a week ago and to my surprise, their first show is called "How Shakespeare Won the West". It's about a troupe of actors who travel to California in search of fortune, not from the gold rush, but from tickets bought by rich miners to see their productions.

Shakespeare impacted our lives more than we think about. Certainly more than just reading his works in high school English, we use words and phrases he invented almost daily. Every time you wait "with bated breath" or "break the ice" when meeting someone new, you have the Bard to thank. If someone's "dead as a doornail", they died in a manner thanks to Will. If you're "fancy free" in a "fool's paradise", and you find yourself "in a pickle", it's Shakespeare's fault. When you "lie low" and have "not slept one wink", "in one fell swoop" you can blame W.S. All this might make you "sick at heart" to realize, and you'll be "a sorry sight," but the "long and short of it" is "what's done is done" and this "wild goose chase" is all thanks to Shakespeare.

He also put some words into print for the first time, including the vulgar "puke" and made many words into new parts of speech, suck as taking "market" into the adjective "marketable."

Who knew?
Until next time, "parting is such sweet sorrow".
-Nat

Stratford-Upon-Avon

The first leg of my trip will be spent staying in Stratford-Upon-Avon. From what I've read, it's very touristy and centered around a very specific part of its history. Like Salem, MA is obsessed with the witch trials, Stratford is crazy about Shakespeare.

If you're a subscriber to the camp that believes Shakespeare really wrote the works of Shakespeare (some people believe it was Edward de Vere, Duke of Oxford or Francis Bacon), his humble beginnings come as a surprise. He was the son of a glovemaker who probably attended The King's School, a local grammer school for boys where he would have read the works of Plato, Homer, and other classic authors. It was his only education. He was married at 18 to Anne Hathaway, who was nearly twice his age. They had three kids, a girl and a set of twins. In Stratford, the home Anne lived in before her marriage is preserved (seen on the left).

The period between his marriage and his appearence in London's blossoming theatre scene is undocumented, but there is some suggestion he was banished from Stratford for deer poaching (huh?!) or that he moved to London for work.


He moved back and forth between London and Stratford during his life. He bought a home for his family in central Stratford. It's called New Place and its foundation and gardens are still in Stratford (the building was torn down in the 1800s). He moved home for the last years of his life and died in Stratford, where he's buried in the local church, Holy Trinity Church. Funny enough, he didn't get burial there because he was famous, but because of a share he bought in the Church. He was also baptised in the church and his wife and eldest daughter are buried beside him. His grave carries a curse against moving his bones (a common practice at the time to clear space for more recently disceased folks!) There was a memorial bust built of him at the site while Anne Hathaway was still alive, so it's thought to be an accurate image of him (not quite Joseph Fiennes in "Shakespeare in Love," sadly! haha).

Besides sites related to Shakespeare and the Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford is home to a lovely river that is very popular. The River Avon is a popular place for boating and relaxing, and RSC's main theatre complex is located on its banks. The river is seen below, with Holy Trinity Church in the background.




Just one day less than a month until I leave now! How exciting! More fun facts and info about the area to come....

Best,
Nat

Welcome to my blog

Hi all,
As most of you probably know, I'm headed to the UK in 1 month, 2 days (but who's counting?)
I created this blog as a place to record my travels in Stratford-Upon-Avon and London. I'm departing on September 19th from Boston and arriving at Heathrow at 6:50am, London time. From there, I take a train up to Stratford where I'll be spending two weeks as a trainee with the Royal Shakespeare Company in their Properties Workshop. I'm staying with one of the company members in a lovely brick townhouse, complete with resident dog. I'm sure I'll feel right at home!

After my time in Stratford is through, it's back on a train to London where I'll be spending an additional week with one of my best friends, Christine. I'll be doing all the regular sight-seeing things, attending at least one play, and soaking it all in. (And eating lots of yorkshire pudding).

So, bookmark this page and keep an eye out for updates as the departure date draws nearer, and I'll update as things progress.

Cheers!
-Nat