Ciao bella!
Well, here I am in Milan, the fashion capital of the world! And let me tell you, this city is living up to its reputation. It's a feast for the eyes, a swirl of colours, textures, and styles.
And guess what? I’ve found the most amazing pink tutu shop in the world! Okay, so maybe it’s not literally the world's biggest but for me, it felt like it! Imagine a whole shop dedicated to fluffy, pink tutus of all shapes and sizes, sparkling with sequins and shimmering with silk. It was tutu-licious!
I must confess, it was hard to resist getting a new tutu. But then I reminded myself: I need to save my pennies for the next big performance. And that, my lovely readers, is what's brought me to the wonderful city of Milan: I’m here for the annual “Milano Ballet International” festival!
Today, I'm on a mission to soak up every bit of this vibrant, exciting atmosphere. It's a city that truly understands the power of dance. The air is buzzing with the anticipation of graceful leaps and delicate pirouettes, and you can feel the passion of ballet flowing through the streets.
The Journey So Far:
Milan is easily one of my favourite cities in Italy, probably because the last time I was here, I was performing with a group from Derbyshire. We had so much fun; remember that amazing show where the Italian conductor gave us a standing ovation for the "pink tutu brigade" in the second act? I was sporting a truly exquisite bubblegum pink creation, and the applause was positively deafening.
The only slight downside to the trip? It was absolutely scorching. We practically melted on stage during the last performance, I swore I could hear the tutus sizzling as the lights heated up the stage! Oh, those Italian summers...
Milan: The Tram to "La Scala"
Speaking of trams, I’ve already explored quite a bit of this stunning city. They have such a beautiful tram network. And guess what? I spotted a group of ladies on their way to "La Scala" opera house in… *wait for it...PINK TUTUS!* Talk about spreading the joy of pink. I gave them a little twirl, a grand jeté (well, as much as you can do on a tram) and a huge pink-tinted smile. You'd have thought they'd won the lottery! They looked absolutely thrilled!
Shopping on Via Montenapoleone
Milan isn't just about tutus and opera; it’s a paradise for fashionistas! It’s time for me to indulge my inner shopaholic! So this afternoon, I’m venturing into the world of haute couture on Via Montenapoleone, one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world!
Imagine: shops overflowing with designer clothes, sleek accessories and delicate, breathtaking shoes. I’m not going to be dropping a small fortune on a handbag like I saw in a shop window last week - it was simply breathtaking, emerald green crocodile with gold accents - a steal for €10,000!
But let’s be real - I’m on a tight budget (that's why I only post once a week!). Instead, I’ll be scoping out the sales, sniffing out bargain designer pieces, and hunting for the perfect pink accessories to jazz up my tutu collection.
The Dance That Never Sleeps
But even though shopping is a highlight for any girly trip to Milan, the reason I’m truly here is for the “Milano Ballet International”!
Every night, this festival brings together renowned ballet companies from all over the world. You have the legendary "La Scala Ballet" putting on incredible shows and world-famous choreographers, like Nacho Duato and Wayne McGregor, presenting their latest creations.
Can you imagine the thrill?
I'm feeling all kinds of giddy anticipation about this dance extravaganza! Every single cell in my body is screaming “let’s dance”! Tonight, it’s “Swan Lake” and I have a sneaky feeling this performance is going to be utterly mesmerising!
*I can already picture it: * graceful dancers, swirling costumes, a powerful orchestra and the magic of ballet woven into the very heart of this fabulous city!
And, of course, I will be sharing every delicious, dramatic, delightful detail of my Milan Ballet experience right here.
So stay tuned, my darlings, because the dancing is only just beginning!
Yours in Pink,
Emma
P.S. Let me know in the comments: If you had the chance to see a ballet show in Milan, which company or choreographer would you choose?
(Stay tuned next week for Part Two of Emma’s Milan Ballet adventure – will she be mesmerised by the "Swan Lake" or will her heart be stolen by a more contemporary dance masterpiece?)
Emma’s Tip of the Week: *Milan is known for its amazing food scene. Make sure you try "risotto alla milanese" – saffron-infused risotto - absolutely delicious! It’s a true Italian delight! *
(Let’s not forget that “Pizza margherita” - pizza topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and basil, is an absolute classic!)
