Wednesday 1st October 2008
Dearest Tutu-Lovers,
Itās Wednesday, which means itās time for another instalment of my Pink Tutu travels! Iām currently perched on a charming little bench overlooking the Old Town Square in Prague, sipping on a frothy cappuccino (they do love their coffee here!) and soaking in the magical atmosphere. The cobbled streets are teeming with tourists, but it's the sheer beauty of the buildings that steals my breath away - ornate architecture topped with golden spires that seem to pierce the crisp autumn sky.
My journey here, as always, was an adventure in itself. A gentle train journey across the charming English countryside gave way to a glorious, if slightly bumpy, carriage ride across the border to Prague. (I confess I traded the traditional mode of transport for a beautiful black horse called "Merlin" - such a delightful beast! - but only for a short stretch, because my fabulous pink tutu couldnāt possibly endure too much of a rough ride, could it?).
The beauty of the journey is something I always treasure, and my tutu travels are never purely about reaching a destination. Itās about the entire experience, and immersing myself in new places and new cultures - all while feeling wonderfully fabulous in my trusty tutu, of course!
But Prague is particularly special, darling. The history here runs so deep! It's a city that whispers secrets from a bygone era and it seems the city itself breathes art. My senses are overloaded with the romanticism of it all: Gothic cathedrals, medieval clock towers, winding alleys and hidden courtyards that call out for a gentle waltz.
Today's treat is an absolute gem. I'm here for a dazzling ballet performance at the National Theatre, which I have to say, is simply divine. From the moment you step inside, the sheer grandeur of it all sends a shiver of excitement up your spine! The stage is simply majestic, adorned with stunning sets and sumptuous drapes - and the air, oh my dear, it practically hums with the energy of countless dancers and performers who have graced its boards before.
This evening, it's Tchaikovskyās "Swan Lake" that steals the show! Now, you all know how much I adore the romance and the magical stories that dance weaves - especially the beautiful story of the innocent Swan Queen Odette, trapped by the cruel magic of the sorcerer von Rothbart. I was enthralled! The graceful movements of the corps de ballet, their flowing white tutus mimicking the graceful flight of swans, it's just pure poetry! The lead ballerina, a slender creature with expressive eyes, literally stole the show with her every movement. You could feel her every emotion as she danced her way through Odette's tragic journey. The scene with the prince and the swans on the shimmering moonlit lakeā¦ pure magic!
Speaking of tutus, dear readers, you must be wondering what I am sporting for this special occasion! Oh, it is a glorious thing. A pink tulle creation - a dreamy concoction, with layers of pink silk netting that gently swirl as I walk, like a cloud of ballet pink fluff. You know me, always a splash of color and a touch of whimsy - a stark contrast to the formal black and white of the theater but somehow, it just works! It added a splash of colour and fun to the rather formal occasion and created a few smiles.
Of course, Iām making the most of the trip. My pink tutu took me on a whirlwind tour of the city's hidden gems: the famous Charles Bridge, with its captivating array of statues, where I had to have my photo taken in my tutu by the imposing Old Town Square.
You wonāt believe what I stumbled across yesterday though - a charming little vintage boutique overflowing with stunning fashion pieces! A veritable paradise for any pink-loving ballerina. My finds? Well, imagine my joy at discovering a magnificent 1950s-style vintage tutu in the most beautiful shade of blush pink - a dream come true, and I simply couldn't resist. Oh, and the softest silk scarf in the same pale rose shade - I simply had to have it to add a touch of femininity to my travel wardrobe! I imagine itās going to be quite the addition to my ballet practice attire when I return home.
Letās chat a little about tutu history. Did you know the first tutus, as we know them today, appeared on stage around the late 19th century? Before that, dancers performed in elaborate, and quite restrictive, full-length gowns - think Marie Antoinetteās crinoline but much, much tighter! Iāve read that these early tutus were much longer and flowing, almost reaching their ankles! Then, a true ballet revolution took place with the introduction of shorter tutus that highlighted the ballerina's graceful movements.
The tutu is a symbol of ballet - the sheer fragility, the delicate elegance, the stories it evokes. There is something quite magical about the lightness, the way the skirt swirls in a ballet pirouette. In my pink tutu, I always feel I can take on the world, darling. Just imagine all the things we could achieve if we were all dancing through life in a pink tutu - what a truly beautiful and magical world that would be!
Of course, a visit to Prague isnāt complete without some āpink-tutu-fying" of the local population. Imagine my joy upon spotting a local art market bursting with colourful fabric stalls. There, in all its glory, I discovered a wonderful shop brimming with fabric in all the shades of pink imaginable - think of it, an entire stall dedicated to all the fabulous shades of the most beautiful color in the world! The owner, a charming man with sparkling blue eyes, even offered me a pink tea-set just because I wore my tutu!
Today, I'm going to have a picnic lunch in the heart of the Old Town Square - Iāll share my little slice of Prague with you all in my next post.
Oh, and dear reader, I am delighted to announce my newest project, āPink Tutu Weekā. I will be devoting the entire week to sharing my favourite pink tutus, discussing tutu history, and most importantly, inspiring all of you to wear pink! Itās going to be so much fun, I can practically smell the blush pink glitter already!
Until next week, darling,
Emma x
