Wednesday 29th September, 2004
Hello, darling readers! Itās Emma here, back from a whirlwind journey through Prague, the city that captured my heart (and my wardrobe!) in the most magical way. As you know, every Wednesday I grace your screens with my adventures in all things pink and twirly, and this week, Prague was my ballet muse. This city pulsates with a kind of enchanting history that sings to my soul. Each cobblestone street, every graceful archway, every soaring church steeple whispered of forgotten waltzes and passionate ballerinas - and I, of course, felt the urge to dance right along with them!
My trip began, as all the best adventures do, with a journey. Now, I must confess, the thought of crossing Europe by train always makes my heart sing. I am utterly smitten by those majestic locomotives and the gentle sway of the carriage, each clunk and clack of the wheels a comforting beat in my inner rhythm. Picture it: I, dressed in a blush-pink, vintage lace dress with my ever-present tulle overlay - you know, my āPink-tutu travellerā look - sat in a window seat with a book of Czech fairy tales in hand. It was utterly romantic!
But even the most captivating journey has an end, and soon I found myself standing on the platform at Pragueās main station, eyes wide with wonder at the magnificent old architecture and a delightful little buzz of excitement in the air. Prague just has this "je ne sais quoi," darling. The very moment I stepped out, it felt like Iād walked into a fairytale - the cobblestones, the gothic spires, the smell of roasted chestnuts - all my senses were a-flutter.
After finding my little boutique hotel (think ornate balconies and delicate flower boxes), I threw my suitcase onto the bed and - naturally - slipped into a brand new tutu. Prague called for a whimsical first outfit, so I chose my most luxurious, baby-pink tutu, paired with a simple white t-shirt and a dainty flower crown. Ready for anything, I ventured out to explore my new surroundings.
And what a charming spectacle it was! As I wandered through the medieval streets, it felt like the city itself had become my personal stage. I pirouetted past the towering walls of Prague Castle, watched the Vltava River glitter in the afternoon light, and giggled at the antics of the street musicians. Each corner, each bridge, each little cafe whispered a different story, and I couldn't help but feel like I was living in a scene from one of those glorious ballets you find on stage, you know, like "Giselle" or "Swan Lake."
My first order of business, naturally, was shopping. Darling, Prague is a paradise for vintage finds and beautiful handmade treasures! I spent hours exploring the cobbled lanes, stopping in each tiny shop to marvel at exquisite Czech glass ornaments, exquisitely embroidered fabrics, and hand-painted porcelain dolls. My bag, of course, became a repository of whimsical delights, each piece chosen to complement my āPink-tutu travelerā style.
And speaking of whimsy, thereās something utterly enchanting about the Czech love for pink. It's the colour of magic, the colour of sweetness, the colour of a dream. It was everywhere - pink lampposts, pink pastries, pink cafes, even pink horses pulling pink carriages through the city! I was in heaven.
The real star of my Prague trip was, of course, the ballet. It's my passion, you see, my driving force, my source of inspiration. Now, you must understand, darling, I go to ballets wherever I go! Be it the majestic Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, or a charming local ballet company in a village in Provence, I simply can't resist the grace, the artistry, and the powerful emotions that ballet brings to the stage. Prague is no exception, it boasts a rich tradition of ballet that spans centuries.
This week, I had the honour of seeing "The Sleeping Beauty" at the magnificent National Theatre. Now, I know I've told you this before, but I have a thing for āThe Sleeping Beautyā, it's my absolute favourite! You can imagine, darling, my excitement as I floated through the theatre in my latest acquisition, a deep rose pink tulle tutu with pearl detailing - it perfectly echoed the grandeur of the setting. I loved the grand architecture, the crystal chandeliers, and the lush velvet seats.
It wasnāt just the setting that wowed me, of course, but the performances themselves. Each movement, every leap, each gesture, told a story. The dancers were like ballerinas straight out of a fairytale, gracefully navigating the stage, their costumes like shimmering, painted dreams. My favourite part, as always, is Aurora's first waltz; the music so soft, the steps so elegant, it made my heart soar! I almost cried, I really did!
While the National Theatre is a must-visit for any ballet aficionado, thereās also something special about seeing performances outside the traditional setting. On my second evening in Prague, I stumbled upon a little street theatre performance ā a delightful adaptation of "The Nutcracker" presented by a group of students. Their performance was a touch whimsical, perhaps slightly less polished than the professionals at the National Theatre, but so endearing!
What truly touched me was their enthusiasm, the passion that crackled between them, the pure joy they took in their performance. As I sat in the crowd, lost in the rhythm of the music and the spectacle before me, I felt my heart filled with the purest form of ballet joy, that deep connection between performer and audience that's truly magic.
I simply adore Prague for its dedication to dance. Itās not just about grand performances in glittering halls, but also about keeping ballet alive in the everyday. You'll find classes popping up in parks, local dance studios offering workshops, and even children performing impromptu street ballet to delight the passing tourists.
During my time in Prague, I took a ballet class myself, just a little private lesson with a lovely teacher in a charming studio. It was like stepping into a scene from one of my favourite ballets ā elegant dĆ©cor, the smell of wood polish, the light bouncing off the mirrors, a soft hush of movement filling the space.
Now, youād think, after all that dancing, my energy might be depleted, right? Wrong, darling! A little pink tutu never stops exploring. After class, I indulged in a delicious local tradition - "TrdelnĆk". This scrumptious doughy delight is a must-try if you ever find yourself in Prague!
Of course, no trip to Prague would be complete without experiencing its incredible history. I strolled past the famous Charles Bridge, where centuries of stories have been woven into its very stones. I wandered through the Old Town Square, mesmerized by the magnificent architecture and the whimsical street performers. And I ventured inside the grand, medieval churches, awed by the stunning mosaics and the echoing silence of the hallowed halls.
But darling, itās not all grand palaces and magnificent squares. One of the things I loved about Prague is its whimsical side, a kind of gentle, charming humour. Take, for example, the adorable little horse-drawn carriages, perfectly pink of course! Now, picture this, me, a vision in my pastel pink tutu, gracefully climbing onto a beautifully decorated carriage, with the wind tousling my tulle and a rosy-cheeked groom at the reins. Just picture the sheer fairytale delight!
Iām not going to lie, I might have spent a good half hour watching these little pink horses saunter around the Old Town, their drivers, adorned with charming hats and colourful coats, winking and smiling at the crowds. I had to try it out, of course. So, with a mischievous giggle, I hopped onto one, embraced the romantic ambience of it all and felt like Iād been transported into a Jane Austen novel ā quite an extraordinary experience, wouldn't you say?
But as the sun dipped below the rooftops and painted the sky with hues of amber and violet, I knew my time in Prague was nearing its end. It was bittersweet, as all good trips are, with a tinge of melancholy mingled with the joyful memories of my adventures.
Prague had, once again, solidified my love for travel, for adventure, for beautiful experiences. Iāve learned that sometimes the most magical journeys begin with the most simple gestures: a leap in a street ballet, a stroll through a cobbled lane, or a cup of tea in a quaint cafe.
My suitcase might be full of vintage finds, my heart filled with Prague's spirit, and my soul overflowing with dance-induced joy, but itās not just about the places I visit. It's about the moments I capture, the emotions I feel, and the stories I share. So, until next Wednesday, when I unveil a new pink-tutu adventure, I leave you with this, darling, remember: life is a dance, and it's beautiful to twirl, twirl, twirl, your way through it!
P.S. Don't forget, dear readers, to check out www.pink-tutu.com every Wednesday for my latest travel tales. You can also follow me on my social media pages - Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter - for sneak peeks and pink tutu fashion inspiration. See you next week!
