Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu aficionado, bringing you this week's dose of travel escapades straight from the magical city of Prague!
As always, it's Wednesday and the world is my oyster, well, at least the part of it that's within a reasonable train journey from my Derbyshire digs. Speaking of journeys, did I tell you about the wonderful train ride here? I love the feeling of the wind in my hair as we journey through the countryside. The quaint towns whizzing by, the fluffy clouds trailing across the azure sky... all contribute to a feeling of utter joy, heightened even more when you're wearing a pink tutu, obviously! Don't judge, it's a little bit of my magic.
Anyway, enough about my travel aesthetic. This week I'm taking you to Prague!
The City of a Hundred Spires - oh, I'm so in love! Prague is such a vibrant city. The streets are filled with stunning architecture, cobblestone lanes, and an air of history and romance. Plus, you simply must explore the old town square; it's breathtakingly beautiful!
And let's talk shopping! Oh, darling, I think I might have lost myself in the boutiques of Prague. They have exquisite silk scarves, the most beautiful jewellery you can imagine (some of which have made their way into my own collection, slight splurge!), and oh my, the clothes! If I wasn't travelling on a budget, and living my life on the road, I think I could have moved here, simply to enjoy the beautiful, bohemian fashion stores and indulge in all those pretty trinkets. Oh, the sheer joy of a new, sparkly tiara! It's just a tad different from a pink tutu, but definitely a lovely touch!
But back to Prague. You can feel history all around you in Prague, like it's practically breathing down your neck. The story of the Czech Republic is woven into every street corner, and the beautiful architecture is so enchanting, it takes you back through time to a world of princesses and knights. A tutu enthusiast's dream come true! I'm getting a little ahead of myself, but of course, no visit to Prague would be complete without a trip to the National Theatre for a ballet performance. And guess what? On June 19th, 2013 (that's today, darling!), the theatre was presenting "Giselle". I nearly died from excitement. What a perfect day out for this tutu-loving girl!
For those of you who are just a tad bit "tutufied" about tutus, I thought it might be fun to do a little tutu history lesson. Did you know the tutu was first introduced in the early 19th century by Marie Taglioni, the ultimate Romantic era ballerina? Imagine: a white tulle skirt with barely any layers, so airy and ethereal, just a little dream! This revolutionized ballet, introducing a sense of fluidity and grace unlike any other. Imagine waltzing through a fairy tale in this incredible creation, the embodiment of grace and elegance! (Okay, I admit, I did a bit of waltzing around in the foyer of the National Theatre myself... oops! )
Talking of elegance, that is what you find in "Giselle." This ballet tells a heart-wrenching love story about a young village girl named Giselle who tragically falls for a man disguised as a peasant, only to find out he's a prince, already promised to someone else. This story will leave you wanting more, feeling every emotion alongside these characters. It is such a well-known classic, filled with grace and heart, I was immediately drawn in! It is quite magical how they tell the story through movement alone! Oh, and the music? Adellina Patti did such a good job! What beautiful harmonies! They really gave me the chills!
Now, I can't talk about the show without giving you a peek at what I wore! Because darling, how can you go to a ballet without a tutu? Of course, I did my own twist on this, which you might expect. Instead of the typical ballerina white, this was a beautiful dusty pink tutu that, I promise you, shimmered under the theatre lights! Imagine it like the color of rose petals after a soft summer rain! And to top it off, I wore a pale pink chiffon blouse tucked into a fluffy pink skirt, with pearl-white, high-heeled shoes. I am just obsessed with the entire pastel ensemble! Even the other ballet aficionados noticed me! Several whispered how cute I looked, which just added to my total Prague fairy tale! I just can't help feeling giddy every time I catch my reflection!
After the show, I went on to enjoy Prague's enchanting evening, finding myself strolling down Charles Bridge, losing myself in the dreamy ambience.
It was on Charles Bridge I realized I had met someone. An intriguing, charming gentleman approached me in my pink tutu and said with a warm smile: "You are making my day more beautiful with your dazzling presence!". Isn't that just so sweet?
Honestly, Prague has such a romantic atmosphere. Every little cobbled street seems to hold secrets and whispers, making you want to explore them all.
However, as you all know, all my journeys are punctuated by ballet classes, and I had the absolute privilege of attending a masterclass at the Prague Dance Centre, where I learned from the best. We worked on beautiful moves and positions, stretching and pushing ourselves, learning the art of telling a story through our dance moves. It was absolutely delightful! The teacher said she had never seen a pink tutu in her classroom! I may be making ballet history right now, lovelies!
Oh, and of course, no journey is complete without trying out some local cuisine! And Prague certainly delivers! From those divine creamy dumplings to those savory goulash bowls, there is no shortage of delectable delights for even the most refined palette! Don't forget the traditional sweet pastries with cherries, absolutely divine! I definitely indulged, though, darling, my waistline might beg to differ. But it's all in the name of exploring, darling, so what’s a girl to do?
Anyway, I can't stay here too long, lovelies! It’s a shame this adventure must end for now, but don’t fret! You can come with me next week, when I’ll be bringing you a captivating glimpse of another enchanting location. Until then, don't forget: spread the love, and keep on tutuing, ladies!
To a brighter, pinker world! XOXO Emma
P.S. Check out my beautiful photos from Prague on my Instagram account! (@PinkTutuEmma)
