Stratford - The High Points

It is day four and our last night in Stratford - Upon - Avon. Overall it was a wonderful experience, but I am very excited for all London has in store for us. Stratford is a darling town with quaint shops and delicious treats and dining options. I have to say my favorites, are the many candy shops. We did get our first bite of British cuisine, England's famous fish and chips at the Dirty Duck Pub. It was very good, but I do have one little problem. I always need more ketchup!! When I ask the servers just give me a funny expression and ask "more"? Then I feel as if I am insulting them, and just try to forget the ketchup. However, for the most part I have enjoyed all Stratford has had to offer.

We have been very busy, especially these last few days. These last two days have been filled with events from sun up to sun down. We visited places such as Oxford University, the birth place of William Shakespeare, Anne Hathaway's cottage, and Woodstock. While I enjoyed the visit to each of these places, there were a few others that I favored the most
one being the second castle we visited (the first was in ruins), Warwick Castle. Not only was it breathtakingly beautiful, but it was so much fun!! There was so much for us to see and do. We took a tour through the renovated interior of the castle, climbed the tower stairs (256.. or so), and visited the peacock gardens. I wish I could explain how amazing Warwick is. It hard to do so in words or even to show in pictures. The architecture and the gardens are just so beautiful and the fact that it is a REAL castle. All I can say is, you have to visit it yourself.

My second favorite visit, being that I am a nursing major and adore Florence Nightingale, was St. Margaret's Church in East Wellow (Nightingale's grave site) and Embley(Nightingale's home). Both sites were beautiful and very empowering. You cannot help but feel inspired by this wonderful woman when you visit these two places. All she has done for the profession of nursing and for the various patient/people she helped through sickness and their most vulnerable of times. I am so thankful we had this opportunity and it is something I will take away with me forever. All in all it has been a great time and I am still in awe that I am in England!
--Megan Asterino