Wednesday, 6th January 2016
Hello my darlings! It's Emma from Pink Tutu, writing to you from the magical city of Prague! I arrived yesterday, a whirlwind of excited pink tutus and bouncing excitement. It was a lovely train journey, especially with my new lavender coloured train bag, a vintage find from a lovely shop in Derbyshire before I left. As I always say, the right bag makes a journey a hundred times more exciting.
Now, you all know I'm a sucker for a beautiful building and Prague is bursting with them. Just the sight of those pointed, ornate spires has got me giddy. And the colours! Prague is so wonderfully painted, full of that old-world charm. It's like stepping straight into a fairytale, only with more delicious coffee.
The most amazing thing? I found a vintage tutu shop tucked away on a quiet cobbled street, surrounded by antique shops and cobblers. Honestly, you wouldn't believe it! I almost swooned. There were dozens of beautiful tutus, from delicate silk to robust, layered, 19th-century ones. It's almost a crime to even think of leaving the city without a new pink tutu - almost, but I'm trying to resist for now.
A Tutu-filled Day
After I'd done a few pirouettes in front of the shop mirror, I headed to Prague's famous National Theatre. It was even grander than I expected! You all know how much I adore the stories of these historical theatres and their intricate interiors. You simply must visit when you're here, the atmosphere is electric, even if you just have a little peek inside!
Later that evening, I experienced a delicious traditional Czech meal - something called "Svickova", a beef dish with creamy sauce. Let's just say my tutu wasn't feeling quite as buoyant after that one! The food in Prague is delicious and very reasonable, I can't wait to explore more restaurants and try out more local delicacies.
The Beauty of Ballet
One of the things that makes Prague so captivating is the deep-rooted connection to the arts. This city breathes theatre, opera, and ballet. And I am so happy to say, that a real ballet treat awaits me tomorrow! I've managed to snag tickets to see the beautiful "Swan Lake" at the Estates Theatre. This theatre has seen so many important performances over the years, and even held a secret premiere of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro"! I can't wait to see it all for myself.
Speaking of beautiful "Swan Lake," my current obsession is trying to learn all about the story of the original "Swan Lake," the ballet. As you all know, "Swan Lake" is not just about graceful ballerinas; there's history behind the costumes, the story, the composer, the original theatre! Did you know it's so entwined with the ballet dancer Mathilde Kschessinska, whose "Swan Lake" choreography is legendary? There are fascinating links to the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow too! There are just so many hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. I am going to devote a whole blog post to exploring the stories of these original ballerinas, costumes, and ballet choreography later.
My Love for Prague's Pink Charm
You might be wondering, how does one fund this exciting life of travel, tutus, and performances? Well, I manage a pretty busy schedule! Every week, I have a ballet class back home, and then I make up some choreographies for the local village ballet company and get to twirl a bit on the stage. That usually covers my travelling and tutu expenses. Luckily, a ballerina can never have too many tutus.
It's not just the theatre and food that I'm falling for, you know. The city's architectural beauty is utterly captivating. From the cobbled streets of the old town to the magical Prague Castle, every turn of the street offers a fresh perspective, each a postcard-worthy moment. It really feels like you're walking through an old film - except for the street musicians with their bagpipes and the modern pink-loving ballet girl in their midst.
But of course, no trip to a new city is complete without a little shopping. Prague is a treasure trove of independent shops and boutiques, especially for the loveliest vintage clothing. You wouldn't believe the vintage shoes I picked up, complete with tiny buckles. And guess what colour they were? Pink, of course! I just couldn't resist. I am going to write a full shopping blog post about my vintage finds when I'm back home, so keep an eye out for it.
Now, you all know that I love nothing more than to help my readers find the perfect tutu, and that includes exploring all the wonderful vintage shops in every city I go to. There's something magical about wearing something that's got a past, a piece of history. I even found a gorgeous vintage book with information on the 1800's French tutus and how their designs evolved! That's the sort of thing that gets my imagination flowing. It's just so fascinating to see the trends change, the history of design unfold. There is a beautiful history of tutus just waiting to be explored.
Prague has so many vintage shops. If you’re a vintage tutu collector or you just want a stylish, eye-catching, head-turning pink tutu that's unique to you, there's simply no place better to be. I promise you will fall in love with the place, even if it does take all of your hard-earned money! I do, of course, have many pink tutus to wear in my wardrobe!
So, my darling friends, I'm off to continue my adventure. More pink tutus to be found, more stories to tell, more inspiration to collect! Follow my journey on Pink-Tutu.com and join me next week!
