#PinkTutuPrague Ballet in Prague 2009-07-15

Well, hello my darling tututistas! It's Emma here, back from my little jaunt around Europe. Did you miss me? 😜 I know I missed all of you, my dearest tutu-wearing sisters, my fashion-loving friends. I always feel so much better when I’m back home in the world of fashion, ballet and... well... pink. But enough about missing, let's dive into the most glorious, stunning, dreamy, historical city I've ever had the pleasure of seeing - Prague.

The city of Prague is just something else. It's not just about the incredible, impossibly beautiful architecture – which there is loads of, every street corner a mini masterpiece - but it's the way the city just feels. Like an elegant waltz with a little bit of playful gypsy flamenco thrown in. Think waltzing across Charles Bridge and then suddenly popping into a pub to watch the locals spin and whirl, then dashing across to the castle and maybe twirling around in a castle courtyard for a moment (yes, I totally did that). It's all about this delicate, exciting blend of cultures, history, romance and fun, and somehow it just makes me want to dance. 😉

I'm actually going to have to divide this post up because I'm bursting with excitement about all the places I've been, the shows I've seen and the pink tulle I've bought (that last one always makes my heart sing).

My journey from Derbyshire to Prague was part of the magic of this trip, believe me. I traveled by train, you know, all comfy and cosy, wearing my trusty (and ever so elegant) pink tulle tutu, a little knitted cardigan (pink of course), and a pair of fabulous (also pink!) sparkly heeled slippers. And guess what? Not a single raised eyebrow on the whole train journey, and plenty of smiles! Maybe I’m onto something, maybe pink tulle is going to become the next big travel trend? 😉 Anyway, on that comfy train, I wrote my little journal - because that's what a proper ballet ballerina does, don’t you know - with my fancy pink feather-topped pen. You’d be surprised at how many ideas come to you on a long train journey - it’s just the perfect opportunity for inspiration!

When I arrived in Prague, the first thing I noticed (after my utter excitement at seeing all the stunning architecture, of course) was how much ballet was part of life in this city. Ballet was everywhere – literally! Ballet on billboards, ballet shoes in the shop windows, and ballet classes all over the place, plus it seems to me that every single girl in this city owns a pink tulle tutu! (OK, that's a little exaggeration but it certainly felt that way!).

Right, so ballet is the main reason I'm in Prague. The reason I travelled from my little corner of Derbyshire. This is my dream, you know? To travel the world, learn about different cultures, and of course, witness beautiful ballet everywhere.

I managed to get tickets for a performance at the magnificent National Theatre (that place is huge! I’d love to see it at night. It has got to be magic!) on the 15th July. It was a beautiful evening with beautiful lighting, even more beautiful dancers and some seriously impressive classical ballet skills. The story, the drama, the skill, and the costumes – pure perfection. And to think, the history of this beautiful building (it’s been standing since 1881!), is woven in with all this amazing dance - pure magical.

Before the ballet, of course, I couldn’t resist a wee shopping spree at some fabulous, chic fashion boutiques, which I must tell you, were also beautifully located in historic and lovely old buildings. ( I wonder if ballet shoes ever played a part in these shops?) My first purchase was a sparkly pink handbag with a gorgeous bow (pink, of course!), a fantastic pink and gold ballet dress with tiny feathers (it’s going straight into my stage collection!), and then a couple of little ballet inspired brooches. After that little indulgence, I needed something a little lighter so I wandered into a café and enjoyed a lovely tea, while watching all the busy people go about their day. I saw all sorts of characters - from fashionable shoppers, to students with books, to an old couple holding hands (swoon!). You see, there's so much going on in Prague and every time you turn a corner something different and special pops into view! But then there I was - back in the theatre! All ready to be totally transported by ballet. The National Theatre didn’t disappoint! I was so immersed in the ballet - my ballet world! I swear it was like everything just stopped around me, as if the outside world just disappeared and it was just me, the performers and all those other ballet lovers in the audience. Oh the magic, oh the beauty! (If only they would sell pink tulle ballet outfits as souvenirs. My collection is growing at such a pace, I am actually running out of space for more! )

Of course, after this wonderful night at the theatre, a late night glass of wine at a traditional pub was the order of the day.

But that wasn't the end of it - Oh no, Prague just keeps on giving, doesn’t it? The next morning I took a walk through the old town of Prague - with, naturally, a fluffy pink tulle tutu (from my very own shop, obviously!), a floral head scarf (you must know how much I adore a head scarf!) and my new, oh so beautiful sparkly handbag. (I'm always a big fan of shopping in historic towns! And Prague, my dear tutu-loving friends, has some very beautiful boutiques!).

I strolled along Charles Bridge (stopping, naturally, for photo ops - what good ballerina doesn't?), I stopped to look at all the impressive medieval architecture (how I do adore history!) and, as the most important thing in life for me (besides dancing in pink, of course!) I treated myself to a really good coffee and a piece of delectable pastry.

And, believe it or not, I found the pinkest tea I’d ever seen - ever - in Prague, so I had to buy it, for, as you all know, my collection of all things pink has to be forever growing! You wouldn't believe the colours – all those shades of rose pink! And it smelled so divine too - I just couldn’t resist.

Of course, I made a little detour to one of Prague's very many charming traditional restaurants to try some delicious Czech food – what an incredible country for amazing flavours, and they know how to bake the best bread. I was particularly impressed with the hearty and filling, Svíčková (Roast beef, gravy, and dumplings), and the tender and melt-in-your-mouth Knedlíky (dumplings). These dumplings are the kind of fluffy goodness that would make even the strictest tutu-wearing ballerina smile with glee! I even indulged in a piece of apple strudel with delicious cinnamon, just as sweet and delicious as my dreams about all those sparkly pink shoes I might someday have!

You’d be surprised how much this city keeps surprising you - the architecture, the people, the gorgeous food and, well, everything. You don’t need to go far to stumble across some wonder or beauty, but there I was, feeling adventurous (a bit like I do on stage, getting ready to perform!) and I decided to venture a bit outside the city. There is a little horse farm where you can ride horses on a guided tour of the country. I rode my very own pink ( yes! Of course it was pink!) pony - just me and my trusty pink pony. (There has to be a place for pink ponies and tutus in everyone’s world). The countryside around Prague is simply magical – lush green hills dotted with fairytale forests (all those little cottages!). This area of the countryside has inspired countless stories and films – maybe you’ve seen some, who knows? Anyway, it was truly breathtaking – not a sight you’d ever get tired of seeing, and what could be a more romantic, girly experience than trotting along on a pink pony with your head covered with a pink floral head scarf and wearing the prettiest pink tutu you could imagine?! 😉

Back in the heart of Prague - my city, my little haven – I found another perfect spot. A lovely public square, bathed in golden light, which felt completely deserted and absolutely beautiful - just for me! I even had a lovely dance lesson in the square (it seemed a really great location for my little “tutu solo”), with my ballet barre (from my very own ballet studio - you must know I love ballet practice!) as my accompaniment. You can always do a little dancing at the drop of a hat, wherever you are. I mean, after all, life's an all-you-can-tutu-fest, isn’t it? (Well, my world is certainly all-you-can-tutu and my dream is to make yours a world of pink and ballet too!)

My visit to Prague flew by (sometimes time really does pass in a flash), and as I boarded the train for home, it was like a ballet scene, you know, a dramatic but bittersweet moment where everyone wants it to carry on, but it just has to end – well, for now at least! But here is the thing about Prague - It's got that magic touch. It’s got that ability to keep drawing you back. So it really wasn't goodbye it was simply see you soon – Prague! Until next time! And don’t forget – it’s always time for a twirl in a tutu! 💖✨

**Stay tuned for my next Pink Tutu adventure. Until next Wednesday!

Love and twirls, Emma xx

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