Post Number: 640
Oh, darlings, how I have missed writing to you all! But my whirlwind journey to Paris has kept me a tad busy - what can I say, a ballerina's life is a busy one! It's Saturday, which means it's time to share my latest Parisian adventures, and where else would I begin but with the iconic Eurostar.
Remember how I told you I was all about the glamour of train travel? Well, that glamour certainly wasn't lacking this week. As the train zipped past the countryside, leaving my Derbyshire home behind, I felt a thrill course through me. The speed, the smooth glide, the feeling of getting ever closer to the Parisian adventure... pure bliss.
Of course, I wore a pink tutu on my journey! Pink tutu and my favourite vintage coat (a gorgeous lavender number, naturally). Nothing like a touch of ballet and whimsy to add a little spice to a long train journey, eh? My fellow passengers all seemed delighted - lots of smiles and friendly conversations - clearly the allure of pink is universal!
Speaking of smiles, when we pulled into the Gare du Nord, the city itself was all smiles. The city of lights was dazzling under a beautiful spring sky. Even the old stone buildings had a kind of warm glow to them, like they were happy to have us visiting.
But my darlings, the real reason I travelled to Paris was not simply to see the sights. No, no, this was all about a magical little performance in the heart of Montmartre, right beside Sacré-Coeur. A ballet, of course!
Imagine the setting: the quaint, cobbled streets of the Montmartre, the stunning views of Paris from Sacré-Coeur, and me in my shimmering, pastel-pink tutu, ready to twirl my heart out! And you wouldn't believe the ballet itself! The troupe was called 'Le Papillon Rose,' and their choreography was all about flitting through life like a delicate butterfly, with touches of mischief and grace. I've always loved ballets that capture that essence of carefree, happy, joyfulness. This little gem had me swept away in a whirlwind of beautiful music and intricate footwork.
But my ballet experience was far from over. Later that night, I popped on another shimmering, but this time, slightly more daring tutu, with a dramatic, frilled skirt (the perfect combination of elegance and daring!). My dear friends had purchased us tickets for the incredible ballet show at the Palais Garnier, a real iconic piece of Paris! It was stunning. The dancers were superb, their costumes spectacular, and the Palais itself, with its gilded detailing and elegant atmosphere, took my breath away. It felt like a fairy tale, or even better - it felt like my very own dance dream come true!
And after the performance? A trip to a small, charming Parisian café, where we indulged in some delectable pastries and a cup of hot chocolate. Now, you may think I would have saved myself for some Michelin star dining experience, but on this occasion, my friends knew the best way to warm my ballerina soul after a show was with simple, beautiful flavours, and some laughter!
Oh, darling, but the fun was only just beginning. The following day, it was time to indulge in my favourite pastime after a performance - shopping! It wouldn't be a Parisian trip without a little bit of browsing through the most divine boutiques, you know! My trusty, well-worn pink bag (also a little bit of a fashion statement - a mix of vintage and designer) was quickly filling up. I just couldn’t resist, I simply had to have that charming Parisian hat (pink, of course, with a delicate, silk rose) to go with the elegant pink dress I found in the quaint boutique next to the Palais Garnier. I mean, can you really resist a stunning, hand-stitched pink creation with delicate lace trimmings? It whispered "Bonjour Paris" in my ear and I couldn't say no!
Of course, all this fashion exploration takes energy, so a bit of ballet street performance and some more performances were on the agenda, a beautiful little performance on a sunlit street with local ballet enthusiasts, and even an elegant show in a smaller theater – something I've come to call the real heartbeat of Paris, and a joy to immerse myself in. It really felt like I was sharing my love of dance with everyone in the city!
The rest of my trip was a delightful blur: long walks down cobblestone streets, Parisian picnics in stunning green parks (think perfect croissants, juicy fruits and delectable petit fours, a little ballet practice while the others went for a little walk) a relaxing visit to the Eiffel Tower with the city stretching out in the distance, the breathtaking gardens and fountains, and oh, so much coffee and chatter with new friends who share my passion for the ballet world!
Now, I’m back in England, filled to the brim with Paris vibes and an eagerness to share these moments with you.
Until next week, my darlings, keep twirling! And maybe, just maybe, put on that pink tutu and unleash the ballerina inside of you.
Yours in pink and twirls, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
