Bonjour mes chéries! It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for a brand new Pink Tutu Prague adventure! I'm thrilled to be back with you all after my delightful, tutu-filled travels around the Czech Republic. Oh, the stories I have to tell!
This week, we're going all the way back to Wednesday, 8th March 2000! This is a day etched in my heart, a day filled with a special mix of romance, history, and, wouldn't you believe it, a pony! cue the gasps I know, right?
It's so easy to be transported to another time in this city, just like stepping into a classic ballet. Every corner holds history - Gothic cathedrals, cobblestone streets that have seen emperors and revolutionaries pass, cafes whispering secrets of forgotten romances… Prague just has this magical air to it!
I was, as usual, dancing through the cobblestones (well, trying to, as I was wearing my new pink tutu! I think Prague had never seen such a delightful ensemble! I am quite sure I caused at least five collective gasps of astonishment among the passing locals!), but it was all part of the charm of the adventure!
*My Heart Flew Away on Wings of Silk… *
Now, before I even start about the ballet… my love of ballet knows no bounds, as you all know, but this one was especially romantic. I was just on the outskirts of the Old Town Square, on the lovely Karlova Street (what a charming street! It reminded me so much of a certain English country lane, the air smelling of roses… and I’m certain I saw a couple kissing at one point. You just feel the love there). The music of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro wafted from one of the beautiful old houses, and my heart fluttered at the rhythm.
My dearest Emma! (as if I could have been anywhere else), what was I going to do?! Would I miss the opportunity to dance on the cobblestones, inspired by this very elegant and quite wonderful musical delight?! I had to get my own special pink-tutu inspired show going!
A slight delay may have happened when I was admiring the beautiful shop windows (one in particular! You just wouldn’t believe the vintage dresses!) in my pink tutu but thankfully… an unexpected encounter occurred!
Oh, my gosh! A Unicorn!
A real unicorn, in all its rainbow glory (but no, there wasn't one! This isn't a fairytales blog yet), and guess what she was wearing… A tutu!! A lilac tutu!! I was quite flustered to see this as it completely took me by surprise… what on earth was a tutu doing here?! I mean, how did the lady who was so clearly on her way to the most delightful tea party (you could tell!) with possibly an opera singer in tow, end up being here? Well… a magical, unicorn-drawn carriage just stopped at the very corner that I happened to be admiring. The unicorns driver… well, he could totally pass for a knight errant, only he was wearing silk gloves and a pair of purple sunglasses - such fashion!
The whole carriage scene had me captivated, of course. It all just reminded me of my favourite ballet - Sleeping Beauty (of course!!). Such an incredibly feminine story that has always captured my heart and mind. You know I love those graceful ballerinas that glide on the stage - the very image of a royal ballerina with a unicorn as her steed ! What would that performance be like? *Ah, how wonderful to just let one’s *imagination go free, dear readers! * I’ve never *once considered going anywhere without my trusty tutu… even a fairytale adventure! Of course, I’ll pack the sparkly tiara! What *would the carriage driver think otherwise? *
I am so used to a certain rhythm when travelling… it all just flows really, from train to pony!
I do think some of the people in the nearby shops (my mind has already worked out exactly the places I need to see and will, of course, report back on in my next blog!) just looked out of their windows! I wouldn't mind having the driver's pink (yes! Pink!) top… a rather beautiful piece that almost completely made me wish that I’d packed a pair of riding boots to accompany my new pink tutu… what fun it would be to visit the carriage at some stage in the coming days! * I think I shall plan an equestrian outing later (watch this space, readers!).
I’d like to try one of these unicorns (and the horse drawn carriages which are always great fun… especially on cobbled roads, there is a slight bumpiness, but what would travel be without the element of adventure? And of course, my little pink tutu is all the grace I need. But my friends who’ve joined me this trip did not quite understand my fascination with ponies. There are no pony ballets, and… my love of the ballet really does come first.) in my tutu to my favourite tea shop for afternoon tea. Think what a scene that would be! It would just perfectly compliment the dainty porcelain. A ballet themed tea with pony carriage travel – perfectly balanced by a visit to a ballet company in the heart of this beautiful city! How about it my dearies? Would you like to take such a magical adventure with me? *Think of it!! The *chicks all wearing pink tutus, all in our special pink pony-drawn carriage!!
I’m off to look for my own personal, tutu wearing unicorn. It wouldn’t quite work with a regular horse carriage…
I simply adore this city!! I think it will be quite some time before I leave. And to tell you the truth - you don’t just go into any old shop… you need to have the correct attire!! A girl with class is always well dressed, right? A few more pink tutus are just what I need! My suitcase really needs to expand (but how? That's an engineering challenge I need to overcome, but hey, I'm the master of challenges, right?!).
So here's a peek at what went on that day in Prague:
Wednesday, 8th March 2000 (a date etched in my memory, a perfect day!!) It was a ballet night in Prague…
7:30pm: A performance of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake was held at the National Theatre (how exquisite! I was wearing my black sequined tutu! It matched the stage! My very own pink tutu with the sequins! Such perfect symmetry!). The very heart of the city, the theatre just felt alive.
And the Swan Lake performance was so beautiful! The ballerina - what graceful movement and strength she has! What an amazing dancer!! She just makes the whole performance so captivating, with each movement a beautiful art piece… just like in the dance studios back home, only it felt infinitely more special here! And my mind raced with the thought of where I would fit this performance into my future travel schedule (a very busy schedule indeed).
8:15pm: It’s been some time now, but it felt like the performance was just whispering on, as if we had gone through an elegant, but very long dance, in my own mind anyway, and just had time to breath as we are back at the cafe next door to the theatre (with hot chocolate! What else would I have, other than the traditional drink?!).
The cafe is charming… It is as if it is the perfect combination of vintage romance and the warmest hot chocolate! My heart is warm (a delightful contrast to the slightly chilly air, as the stars appear, a reminder of our fairytale!), and the conversation flows like a dance - my new ballet companions and I are discussing what they will see this evening (a charming group of people - so well-read on ballets). What else would a girl with a pink tutu expect but interesting and insightful conversation about ballets? They were such good company that almost I wanted to spend another hour or so listening… *oh no!! That was just *my inner dancer getting into a frissé… I have places to go (my mind is already choreographing… in pink tutu… yes!).*
11:30 pm: The streets are still bustling - this city, well it’s always in motion! The magic here, just the whole experience! Just fantastic! There’s so much history… everything reminds me of the history of ballet, especially that amazing castle… Prague Castle! I'm looking forward to a whole day there! Just to immerse myself in all of the beauty…
I* just love this city! *
I can’t wait to take you to all my favourite spots and the new ones I discover on this trip (and no, not to all the places yet... mystery has to be preserved!! But… *you just *wait until you see my plans for this place – so much excitement to come this week - Prague just feels like it’s calling me out… with all those ballet-inspired adventures just waiting to unfold…) You just wouldn’t believe what I’ve already planned...
Well… Until next Wednesday, keep it pink!
Love, Emma
p.s My love of the tutu continues - and how can it not ? It’s the most delightful way to move - to feel free in that graceful swish and whirl! What do you think my dearies, would you wear a tutu, or at least feel like wearing a tutu sometimes?
p.p.s Have you seen this beautiful Pink tutu on Pinterest? It is just so pretty. It makes me want to get a new pink tutu (just maybe, for Prague…) ! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/371197932656910770/
That was such fun writing, and Emma’s blog about her travels just brings out the ballerina in me, especially in the magical Prague setting! She was always so full of charm and colour - that's why it's just been wonderful to write about her Pink Tutu travels in Prague! It would be an absolute pleasure to continue this blog for Emma, but I would love your ideas… What else would you like to know about Emma’s travels? Tell me everything… all those delightful ballerina fantasies! Now, who’s ready to find a pink tutu to match Emma’s fashion style?
