Ciao bella! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Milan! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-clad explorer, and this week, Milan has absolutely blown my mind! Honestly, I’m convinced that this city was made for twirling, and my little pink tutu has been doing just that - from the cobbled streets to the chicest boutiques!
This is the second week of my Milan adventure, and I'm already smitten! This is post number two of my Milan blog, and let me tell you, I've been squeezing every drop of 'dolce vita' out of this amazing place!
Last week I left you back in Derbyshire, England. Well, that’s where my ballet performance was - an outdoor performance by the River Derwent with a fabulous sunset and hundreds of lovely people there to cheer us on. Then it was straight onto the train for my Italian adventure. As usual, my suitcase was bursting with my trusty tutus (pink of course!), fabulous vintage finds and some new ballet shoes – gotta keep the feet happy!
You might think it’s unusual to wear a tutu outside of a performance but honestly, the pinker the better. You get noticed and people smile! Plus it’s a great conversation starter, I’ve met some incredible people just by having a chat about tutus!
I think it’s about embracing your inner child and letting loose. There’s no feeling like it. When you dance with the wind and twirl with abandon, the world seems to stop and everything else fades away, leaving you with a feeling of sheer joy. Honestly, sometimes I think tutus should be compulsory attire, you know?
Now, on to this week's delights! Milan, you beautiful thing! After arriving late last Saturday evening, the first thing I did (of course) was hunt for the most amazing cappuccino in town. That, and finding the perfect Italian pizza - I mean, is there a more beautiful food? I don’t think so.
Sunday, I wandered through the streets and the beautiful historic buildings of the centre of Milan and admired the glorious Duomo – such breathtaking architecture! Did you know it’s made of white marble and weighs in at around 30,000 tonnes?! No wonder it took so long to build - nearly 600 years in fact! And that’s not counting the Duomo Museum and the Archaeological Crypt, which were equally impressive, of course. But it was the intricate detail on the sculptures, and those stunning mosaics, that truly stole my heart. Honestly, every glance, every turn, unveiled a new and fascinating vista. I'm so glad I decided to take a whole day to soak it all in.
In the evening, it was off to see "Giselle" at the Teatro alla Scala. You guys, this theatre is spectacular! I couldn't resist taking a few twirls myself in the grand foyer! It's amazing how the history of the dancers from the past almost feels present, how the stories in the ballet are somehow whispered to you across the centuries… I even heard from the locals that during its rebuilding after the bombings in the Second World War, dancers, orchestra and opera singers worked alongside labourers, taking on various roles to ensure that this jewel of the city could rise again! Talk about commitment and a passion for the arts!
On Monday morning, the real ballet training started, with an exhilarating class at the Scuola di Ballo of the Teatro alla Scala. Such a beautiful space! They say there’s only 12 students who are chosen every year - competition is fierce and there’s definitely an amazing sense of tradition here. The students wear pink leotards – I definitely felt at home here! And the most amazing part? There are windows overlooking the most stunning courtyard – it feels like you are in a different world when you are taking a ballet class here.
So that evening it was back to exploring. Milan is just one big designer showcase. From the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, lined with all the fashion names, to the boutiques along Via Montenapoleone – it was sheer bliss for this tutu-wearing fashionista. There were silk scarves that called my name and glittering dresses that beckoned from the shop windows! My wallet screamed but I am sure that you all know, a girl can never have too many shoes!
And what’s even better is the fact that so much is possible even on a limited budget. You can have a gorgeous pasta dinner and even buy an absolutely stunning piece of vintage jewellery from a street market – and all in a few minutes!
Later in the evening, I got to see some fabulous street theatre by Teatro in Strada - a troupe who use everything from mime to dance and performance art, it was so engaging and beautifully presented, even if some parts did require some interpretation. But isn't that part of the fun of a live performance? The ability to let your own imagination take flight? I love the fact that art can transcend languages and culture.
On Tuesday, it was time to soak up the atmosphere of some truly beautiful Milanese gardens! I strolled through the Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli - just stunning with so much greenery! They even have a rose garden, what more could a girl ask for? Honestly, you could spend hours just soaking up the atmosphere. It really feels like a secret haven amidst the busy city, especially if you pop over to the fascinating civic Aquarium in the corner! They even have a giant shark - my gosh it was impressive!
You know, every single corner of this city seems to breathe history! You don't even need to look for it, you just have to breathe and it envelops you in its beauty and charm! The way the buildings were built to create a city in a symphony of light, the intricate patterns and mosaics, all those wonderful textures... it really took my breath away. And then, of course, there’s the food! That glorious pasta, the amazing breads... and that perfect cappuccino every morning - is it just me or do those foamy white wonders have a way of brightening your entire day?! I think not.
I am loving every minute here - I've learned that Milan is much more than just a fashion city, but that being said, I definitely spent a lot of time wandering around some seriously stylish boutiques and shopping! And yes, you guessed it, my shopping trip culminated in some gorgeous new additions to my ever-expanding tutu collection. This week I found some absolutely adorable vintage tutus at a stall in Porta Ticinese - the fabric was beautiful and so luxurious - and in shades of pink of course!
Milan, it seems you’ve already cast your spell on me! This place has this infectious energy about it – everyone’s busy and dynamic. Everyone’s looking sharp, yet incredibly approachable and friendly. I know, I’ve heard all those ‘fashion city’ and ‘high-pressure’ clichés but honestly, it doesn’t feel like that to me, not one bit.
Maybe it’s because the Milanese have mastered the art of a slower pace, punctuated with little bursts of fast energy, like an exhilarating waltz? You don’t even have to do the dancing - just being a spectator makes you feel energised! You know what I mean?
That's a wrap for this week! Stay tuned, next week I will be trying out the amazing ‘Sagra del Riso’ which is a big rice festival! Sounds pretty fab if you ask me - and I just can't wait to explore some of the new places I've discovered! You can always stay connected by checking out my blog, www.pink-tutu.com, every Monday!
Till then, embrace your inner tutu-wearing ballerina and go dance your way to joy!
Yours truly,
Emma
xxx
