Hello, darling darlings! Itās your favourite tutu-clad travel blogger, Emma, bringing you another Monday morning dose of New York City magic, straight from the Big Apple!
This week's adventure? Well, it's a love story, really - a love story between me, my pink tutu, and this extraordinary city that never sleeps. Honestly, this city is like a never-ending dance, where every corner whispers its own rhythm and every building twirls with its own style.
I know, I know - some of you might think "pink tutu in NYC?" - and yes, darling, it's a bit out there, a splash of whimsical colour in a concrete jungle. But trust me, the city is a fabulous backdrop for a girl in pink!
This week's trip is a result of a fantastic opportunity: performing with the American Ballet Theatre! That's right, you lot! Your girl, Emma from Derbyshire, sharing the stage with some of the best dancers in the world!
But let's back up a bit...
Landing in the Big Apple
My journey began last Tuesday morning, at 4:00 AM. That's right, 4:00 AM! It wasn't just a quick hop on the London Tube, it involved a plane ride! But all the sleep deprivation and airport mayhem melted away the minute I stepped onto the platform of the New York City Subway.
The energy here is unbelievable. I can't even explain it properly - just the sights, sounds and smells! From the smell of street food to the screech of the subway and the sound of the vendors, itās all so uniquely New York!
My trusty pink tutu made it safely through security (thanks to its carefully-packed carry-on bag - can you imagine if Iād lost it in transit?!) and, just as soon as we reached the city, we were straight to a famous Broadway show, āThe Phantom of the Opera.ā It was magnificent, darling, with some truly jaw-dropping costumes and a story that truly resonated. And, just to make things even more magical, we were sitting in the front row.
Of course, no trip to New York is complete without a dose of shopping therapy, and this trip was no exception. Fifth Avenue ā oh darling, where do I even begin? It's a fashion wonderland! We hit some incredible designer shops - imagine my delight finding the most amazing collection of tutus at a hidden boutique on 56th street! My new fluffy pink tutu - it's literally perfect, and I can't wait to dance with it all around New York!
My ABT Performance:
But back to my biggest dream coming true - the American Ballet Theatre! Rehearsals started straight away - an incredible energy, amazing choreography, and so much talent all around! There's a definite difference between a performance back home and a production here - itās just bigger, bolder, brighter, with so much passion.
Honestly, sharing the stage with some of the best dancers in the world? You canāt describe that feeling. We've been performing to packed audiences at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. The applause, the cheers - it was simply incredible.
Ballet Under the Stars
One of the most wonderful things about this trip is that we even managed to catch some performances under the stars. You know how I love outdoor shows! This week, it was a captivating ballet performance in the heart of Central Park. Imagine: surrounded by nature, the sounds of the city fading into the background, the air filled with the sounds of beautiful music and dancers flowing through their art, under a night sky twinkling with stars - perfection! I've just got to find that perfect pink tutu thatās appropriate for a picnic-style performanceā¦ perhaps a soft lace number with twinkling sequins? I need to go shopping again!
Pink Tutu Adventures
My biggest challenge in New York? Well, it's been encouraging the New Yorkers to embrace a bit of whimsy, a dash of pink and to consider twirling with a tutu!
Not all of them are ready to commit to a full-fledged pink tutu look - some still think it's a littleā¦ "out there". But some people just embrace it with open arms! Itās funny, I started carrying spare tutus and tutus accessories and the people I met are surprisingly game. Imagine a New Yorker on the subway in their work suit, but they've just grabbed a pink feather boa from me? Honestly, you have to see it to believe it!
So far, my campaign of "pink-tutu-fying" NYC is definitely proving to be an adventure! But that's what I love about this city: the "go-with-the-flow" attitude, the unexpected and the sheer magic of the unpredictable! The thing is, a lot of people love my message! āEmbrace colour, Embrace life, Embrace a little bit of magic.ā What better way to embrace that than with a pink tutu?
Sharing My Journey
Speaking of sharing, don't forget, dear darlings, that I share my experiences every Monday on www.pink-tutu.com. So stay tuned for my future adventures and my pink tutu journey - thereās plenty more where this came from! I'll be bringing you all the glamorous fashion tips, my tips for travelling in style and all my experiences navigating this crazy city!
It's been an amazing trip so far and the very best part? Iāve managed to secure some amazing gigs ā and more opportunities to embrace a pink tutu in some wonderful settings! My biggest dream is to share my pink tutu vision all around the world.
Now, it's time to get back out there! The city is calling!
Until next Monday, my lovelies!
Much love and pink tutus, Emma
