Darcy Hughes

I landed in Heathrow at 10:00 PM and, after a couple of mixups on the Tube, got to my Airbnb in South Harrow around midnight. For only $25 the room was small but clean. I walked to the nearby McDonalds for a meal and ate it ravenously before falling asleep. In the morning, I filled my empty soda cup with the coffee my host made me and waved her goodbye as I walked to the red double-decker bus that would bring me to central London.

Today was my last adventure on a six-week journey and I was determined to make my short time in London count. Having spent the previous year writing a thesis on Shakespeare, I was most interested in seeing The Globe Theater (a replica of his original stage). Our tour guide was superb. She explained how the plays at The Globe were visually unappealing because there were no props, set designs, or costumes – not to mention all the female roles were played by men. Play-goers were called an audience because it was more important to hear the plays. The best seats in the house were not the ones directly in front of the stage where people could see clearly, but up to the sides where they could hear clearly.

For my final act, I went to see Romeo and Juliet performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican Theater. I bought the tickets to this show in July minutes after purchasing a flight to London.

Banksy in an underpass.

I had walked 200 miles during my six weeks in Europe, so it only felt right to be carrying my backpack into the theater – despite the sophistication of the Barbican. A ticket with my name on it was at the front desk and it felt like it had been waiting for me for months. Holding it, I thought of how this whole trip was once just a dream and now it was nearly over. To celebrate, I changed into a cashmere sweater, applied some make-up, checked my backpack, and bought a glass of prosecco. The show was wonderful… sometimes I closed my eyes and just listened.

Afterward, a crowd seemed to carry me in a wave from the theater to the Tube. Everyone was getting on to go home, and I was no different. I rode the subway for an hour to its final destination, getting to the airport at 1:00 AM. I slept on the hard metal airport seats until security gates opened at 5:00 and I boarded my plane home.

Because of this trip, I feel more confident than ever in my independence, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the hospitality of my wonderful friends. Thank you to everyone who supported this adventure and thanks for following along on my blog!