Wednesday, 14th February 2007
Hello my darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu-wearing, ballet-obsessed Emma, reporting live from the utterly charming city of Prague! As always, a big thank you for tuning in, especially to those of you joining me from Derbyshire. The wind is definitely a little colder here, but the charm of this city makes it all worth it.
Today Iām feeling very "whimsical-romantic" ā after all, it is Valentineās Day! And where better to celebrate than Prague? With its fairytale castles, cobbled streets, and bridges whispering romantic secrets, itās a city that seems to have been designed for a ballet.
But before I share my adventures, I need to tell you about the most amazing journey here. It was a real āSleeping Beautyā dream! I travelled from Germany on the train - first class, of course, with my lovely pink travelling tutu carefully stowed. But there was a twist: a surprise encounter! A group of gentlemen in top hats, dressed to the nines, hopped aboard - the cutest sight! One of them even caught my eye - a dark, brooding, dashing character with the most devastatingly charming smile - and Iām not even one to blush, believe me.
However, he wasn't just an ordinary traveller. He was the manager of a traveling horse show and, as luck would have it, they needed a ballerina! I couldnāt resist a chance to shine ā after all, Iām a performer at heart, right? ā so I took to the stage, wearing my sparkly tutu (a gift from a wonderful ballerina who loved my blog), and twirled my way through a performance. My trusty pony (whoās named Sugar Plum, what else?) was such a star ā we really stole the show! The crowd loved it, I swear the gentlemen even clapped harder than the ladies. (But I did notice they were watching my shoesā¦).
After a grand farewell (accompanied by the sweet sound of hooves), we bid adieu to the travelling show and continued to Prague, the train whistling its romantic melody. I even snagged some gorgeous handmade jewellery, crafted by a fellow traveler - just like something straight from the ballet āGiselleā, if you imagine it in an alluring pink palette. I love finding little jewels like this ā treasures on a train!
Arriving in Prague was a fairytale come true! My senses were assaulted (in a good way, of course!) by the incredible aroma of fresh bread, vibrant flowers pouring out from overflowing window boxes, and the haunting music emanating from street musicians ā the sweetest melody, my darlings! I swear it was like a romantic aria in an opera by Mozart himself!
Naturally, the first thing on my to-do list was finding a truly āfabulousā pink tutu. Luckily, Prague has boutique shops with a delightful blend of antique, whimsical, and modern - truly perfect for the Pink Tutu gal! I fell head-over-heels for a stunning pink tulle creation ā layered and flowing like a pink cloud, with a touch of sequins that glistened in the evening light. The perfect complement for an evening out on the town!
Speaking of, Prague's nightlife is something to experience! I found myself completely swept up in the vibrancy of this city. I joined a traditional dance group and had a fabulous time twirling around to live music, even though it's not the typical ballet - my tutu did manage to turn a few heads, though! My heart melted for the city and I felt this powerful feeling that I had arrived home.
For those who havenāt experienced Prague's cultural wonders, you are truly missing out, my darlings! My top three āmust-do'sā for a ballet-lover:
1. The Prague National Theatre
An iconic building with an extraordinary history (youād be surprised, just look up its ballet history ā youāll be blown away!) It's breathtaking to even look at, let alone experience its world-class performances.
2. The Dance House
Not just any building, this unique architectural marvel was designed to be the perfect platform for a myriad of contemporary dance and performance art. I couldn't resist joining one of their classes ā a chance to learn from the best in town. (Just to make my life complete, it's situated in a beautifully pink-coloured building.)
3. The Ballet Shop in the Old Town
A ballerina's dream! It's a shop bursting with tutus and ballet accessories ā everything your heart desires, all perfectly pink!
Speaking of dreams, Prague seems to be one. Each cobblestone is a fairytale, each bridge is a melody, and every moment is an opportunity to discover the ballerina within.
Oh, and of course, don't forget, the magic of this Valentineās Day will be written in the pages of my ballet diary, a keepsake of the beautiful memories made, especially when I meet that brooding dark haired manā¦ a story for another blog, my dears.
P.S. A Pink Tutu Update for You All: Don't forget! My Pink Tutu movement is gaining momentum ā join me in sharing your own tutu photos on Instagram and Twitter #pinktutu, and weāll continue to paint the world pink, one tutu at a time.
And lastly, be sure to check out www.pink-tutu.com for new blog posts each Wednesday. I'm excited for next weekās adventure. I'm taking to the stage in Prague's famous Opera house, wearing my pink tutu, of course!
Till next week, darlings.
Love, Emma
