For me, it had been an eventful, wonderful, one year. But it was now time for it to end. Submissions, all done. Tickets, all booked. Luggage, fully crammed. I was getting ready to leave Queen and Country for my home and country. That one year alone had taught me enough to rival what I had learnt in my entire life till then about the world and a lot of things in it. As saddening as it was, it was life and I had to deal with it. No choice. And then I get a phone call from my friend 'Dude, want to go to Stratford-upon-Avon before you leave?'
'Are you joking? I don't have the money for it! And what all I have, I've got to convert it into my currency for when I reach home!' 'I'm paying'. 'No you're not. I don't know when I'll be able to pay you back.' 'So don't'. 'Not happening.' 'Do you like Shakespeare?' 'Of course I like Shakespeare!' 'So lets go to Stratford-upon-Avon, it'll be our farewell gift to you.' 'Our? Who else is- Oh okay, he's coming too? Thanks but I can always return to UK in the future even if it is to just visit Stratford!' 'When?' 'I don't know but I will.' 'You're here now so lets go.' 'I don't have the money!' 'I'm paying.' 'Dude!' 'I've already booked our rooms in London where we'll be staying the night before moving on to Stratford. We reach London tomorrow evening, check in at the hostel, go to Heathrow, deposit your luggage at the airport and return to the hostel. Day after in the morning, we leave ASAP for Stratford and return to London by night in time for your flight.' 'Wow you really thought this through.' 'Yes, now shut up and come.' 'I don't have the money, man.' 'Like I said, don't pay me back right away. There's something called internet banking, you know.' 'Idiot. Fine, we'll meet at TESCO and push off from there.' 'Now that's better.'
Ever since I was a kid I'd had this penchant for or rather, obsession with English. I loved the subject during my school years. I used to always find an excuse to study English over other subjects and daresay was quite good at the subject. When I got older, I was introduced to the vast and unending world of English Literature. It started with the Famous Five and Secret Seven books by Enid Blyton and thanks to my father who was a book collector, extended to the classics. My first ever Shakespeare read was Hamlet, which I delved into after hearing the intense story line from my grandma, a literary enthusiast herself. Eventually through the years I'd read quite a lot of Shakespearean works and become quite fond of the great man. So much so that visiting Stratford-upon-Avon hit the top of my bucket list.
And then, things got twisted and sorted themselves out, and me who was to go to the US for a Masters landed in the UK. I, for one, was very happy. I was actually in the place about which I'd heard great stories from my grandma. Kings, Knights, The Queen, and above all, my favorite author,poet and playwright of them all, Sir William Shakespeare's country. The one year passed quite eventfully and I'd been to London quite a lot of times but never to Stratford-upon-Avon. I was to leave for home in a couple of days and now I get this opportunity. I was ever so happy and grateful towards my two friends who, if I may say so 'literally dragged me' to visit the one place I'd always wanted to.
On my way to Stratford-upon-Avon, I had but one thought on my mind. 'What happened to me? Visiting Stratford was one of my main goals on reaching England but did I really not have the time to do so this past one year? I was both happy and disappointed with myself.' But then again, when you have wonderful friends like I do, you do not have to worry about having unfulfilled dreams. I am ever so grateful to my two friends for taking time to make sure I got my visit. We reached Stratford on the planned day, which took 2-3 hours by train from London. Immediately on getting out of the train, I had to curb the urge to cry tears of joy and shout out, 'I'm here at last!!' .
As we were reaching Shakespeare's place (Yes, his house still stands!), I was as excited as a shaken bottle of champagne. My friends never thought my interest in Shakespearean literature was absurd or over the top or out of place; they could understand my genuine interest in his works and the English language itself and took part in celebrating my joy. We entered the museum first, which is situated right beside the house. Shakespeare's various original works, still preserved thanks to the authorities, were put up for display in there.
And the minute we entered the place, I felt weak in my legs. 'This is it!' The house of the man I've admired all my life! As we were shown through the rooms by the guide, I was so so happy. We all have moments in our lives when we feel like everything is in place and that nothing could be any better; that time spent in Shakespeare's home was mine. The guide was walking us through the customs and life practices of the then culture. How the most expensive property owned by the household would be offered to the visiting guests to establish for themselves a social image, how the families fared through difficult times and such. And then we were shown into Shakespeare's bedroom.
Almost as if reading my thoughts, the guide said 'This is it. If any of you are looking for a source of inspiration in this place, here is where you'll find it.' I was asking the guide so many questions to all of which he patiently gave well informed answers. The attic, the drawing room, the room where Shakespeare used to work, everything were shown to us. I was elated beyond human emotions and literary expressions. And then we were shown outside into the garden, all the while being narrated excerpts from the great man's life. The guide too took immense pride and a lot of joy in educating us about Shakespeare's life and I must say, he did a really good job.
As if all the wonderful things I'd experienced that day weren't enough, in the garden were people randomly performing extracts from Shakespeare's works like from Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Julius Caesar and the like. If requested, they even performed dialogues of our choosing. I was too awed and in admiration to ask them but my friend did, and from Macbeth the renowned 'Off with you, damned spot!' scene was performed. The performers too were so good! We then entered the souvenir shop. It was nothing exceptional, but the variety was commendable.
I had to hold myself back from borrowing money from my friends and buying the books though. Sure, I had Shakespeare's works at home, but these would be from the store at the place of his birth!! We were there till evening; there was a Harry Potter merchandise store nearby but I was not going to indulge myself in anything else. I did not want to lose the image of Shakespeare's home or life from my mind (Sorry, J.K.Rowling!). There was a peaceful park nearby and we all sat there, amazed by how well the world and UK in particular had treasured Sir William Shakespeare. For one man's work to stand the test of time and pass on through the ages is a beautiful beautiful thing, but then again, when your creativity is unabashedly let out in the form of silently swiftly flowing literature, maybe that is what happens.
I write all this not to share what Stratford-upon-Avon offers but what the mind goes through when being subject to the fulfillment of a goal long sought; what wonderful emotions one man's work can stir through our hearts when whole-heartedly accepted; what we can all do to follow our dreams; what we all have to be grateful for.
Finally, I say this. My friends Benedict and Karan, you have my thanks. And Stratford-upon-Avon, thank you for the wonderful place that you are; I will be back.
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