#PinkTutuRome Wednesday 1998-12-16 exploring Rome Italy

#PinkTutuRome #Rome #Italy #Travel #Fashion #Ballet #Wednesday #Post184

Ciao bella! It’s your favourite pink-loving, tutu-twirling blogger Emma, signing in from the eternal city of Rome! The sun is shining, the air is buzzing, and the aroma of fresh espresso fills the streets - Rome has captivated me, just like I knew it would! This is my first time in Italy and, to be honest, I’m utterly smitten! The city’s grandeur and history make every corner feel like a theatrical backdrop. Just wait till you hear about my ballet adventures later - this week has been pure magic.

Before we get into the twirling fun, I simply have to tell you about my fabulous journey to Italy. I am such a fan of train travel – there's just something so romantic about it. It allowed me to soak up the views of the countryside, admire the quaint villages, and let my imagination run wild! Speaking of which, imagine my delight when the carriage conductor announced that the journey to Rome would be on the 'Trenitalia Frecciarossa' train – "The Red Arrow"! I've been a huge fan of “The Red Shoes” film (oh, that fabulous, red shoe choreography!) and I couldn't help but giggle at the coincidence.

Rome truly lives up to its reputation for romance! The city is full of enchanting alleyways, beautiful squares, and awe-inspiring historical sights that make my heart beat faster with each discovery. Just yesterday, I wandered through the picturesque streets of Trastevere, lost in the enchanting charm of the cobblestone paths, the colourful flowers adorning window boxes, and the sound of street performers filling the air with lively tunes. It’s all so dreamy.

The shopping! Oh, the shopping! Let's just say my wardrobe has seen a serious transformation. From vibrant silk scarves in the Monti district to the unique vintage finds in the bohemian area of Campo de' Fiori, I've found a piece of Rome in every shop window I’ve encountered! Rome seems to be brimming with stylish shops offering beautiful hand-crafted leather goods, stunning jewellery, and even pink tutus! Yep, you heard me right, Pink Tutus! It feels like a sign from the universe telling me that my pink tutu empire is reaching new heights, spreading from Derby all the way to Rome. I couldn't leave without a new pink tutu! And as if by magic, I found one just around the corner from my hotel.

Oh, did I mention food? If Rome’s art and culture aren’t enough, the food is truly an experience for all the senses. Every bite, from the fresh, homemade pasta in trattorias hidden in alleyways to the rich gelato melting on my tongue, is a little taste of heaven. And I must confess, I'm falling deeply in love with the local speciality – pizza! I'm on a quest to find the perfect Roman pizza and believe me, the competition is fierce! It’s just another excuse for a pink tutu-clad food tour through the city.

Speaking of adventures, it wouldn’t be a #PinkTutuRome blog post without mentioning the ballet! There are simply too many enchanting performances to mention, and this is where Rome truly stole my heart! From the breathtaking performances at the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma to the intimate evenings at the Teatro Argentina, I've experienced the magic of Italian ballet in every possible way! Each dancer seemed to effortlessly float through the air, their every move graceful, passionate, and expressive! They're so incredibly talented and inspired – I'm already considering moving to Rome just to soak up this artistic energy! This Friday night, I'm off to see “Swan Lake”, the choreography looks utterly stunning, and I can't wait! I think I'll go for the dramatic look – the big, flowing, pink tutu is certainly the one for the occasion.

I can already tell that my stay in Rome will be unforgettable – a captivating whirlwind of culture, fashion, and sheer beauty! And I just know I’m going to spread the pink tutu love even more than I’ve ever done before!

Until next week, keep those tutus twirling and don’t forget to follow my adventures on www.pink-tutu.com! Stay glamorous!

Emma

(Wednesday 1998-12-16)

The magical journey continues, my dearest pink-tutu loving readers, and Rome just keeps revealing more and more of its beauty.

I had such a special evening at the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma - the iconic Italian opera house. We saw “La Traviata”, an Italian opera based on the tragic love story of a courtesan.

I must admit, even before the opera started, the whole experience felt theatrical – and this is before we even entered the theatre itself! The building is stunningly grand, a huge, elegant building adorned with imposing columns. This truly felt like an Italian castle – but a beautiful, warm, elegant, and inspiring one. I almost didn’t want to go inside, as I was captivated by the magnificence of it all! I’m not a lover of huge cities, so the majesty of the city seemed all the more dazzling and breathtaking to me, especially against the backdrop of the quiet English countryside. I think my jaw dropped more than a few times! There is a grandness to Italy that can only be experienced firsthand. It’s like Rome is always throwing a giant, magnificent theatrical performance.

And when I stepped into the grand auditorium – well, that was just another whole level of amazement. The interior of the opera house was equally dazzling! And everything glittered, from the red-velvet seats to the intricate details of the architecture, the whole place felt like stepping back in time into a storybook setting, where kings, queens and royal families were probably sat right where I was. Or maybe they were in the Royal Boxes above. The atmosphere just buzzed with the excitement of anticipation - and everyone looked so stylish. It reminded me of the days of glamorous theatrical ballrooms and I loved being part of it all!

However, I must admit that opera performances always leave me feeling a little confused – but confused in a beautiful way! It's like trying to understand another language with lots of musical accents. I do find it wonderful, but for some strange reason, my mind just seems to get stuck on the visual detail of each performance and sometimes it is the imagery, or maybe the set design that actually tells the story for me. The opera itself might be singing, but I find myself drawn to the imagery, and the colours. I guess that’s why I love dance and ballet, as everything is visualised right in front of your eyes! You know what they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. And in La Traviata, that story was told in a truly unforgettable visual way!

But, I mustn’t dwell on the Opera just yet – because the real highlight of this Italian journey came when I spent an evening in a different kind of theatre setting…

Rome was full of surprises. I discovered that a few times a month, a local ballet group hosts their performances within the peaceful confines of an old monastery – "The Convento dei Gesuati" to be precise.

This place was not only a hidden treasure of beauty and intrigue but the experience was totally different from a classic theatre environment. This setting offered something magical, with a breathtaking atmosphere and the most charming feel to it. There’s something special about experiencing art in such an intimate space!

The beautiful stone walls, the frescoed ceilings, and the candlelight softly illuminating the dancers felt so special. The venue added a whole other dimension of visual story-telling! The intimate atmosphere made every gesture, every twirl, and every expression of the dancers seem magnified, and it just filled my soul with a sense of wonder and joy.

After the show, we talked to a lovely dancer, and she explained the significance of performing ballet in such an intimate setting. She told us about the energy, the dedication and passion from the ballet troupe that brings every show to life. The dance company she belonged to was full of very experienced, established, professional dancers - each with years and years of ballet training behind them, which was a revelation for me. And yet, they loved the challenge of transforming a small, quiet monastery setting into an intimate theatre space, a very intimate theatre experience.

Their dedication and hard work inspired me. I spent so much time listening to this beautiful ballerina and thinking about my ballet dreams and my ambition of being a professional ballet dancer - not as big as the iconic Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow - but a little smaller and more intimate - perhaps something like this convent.

I’ve now finished this week’s blog and I have to go – the call of Rome's sights and sounds beckons! And it would be a sin to miss my evening meal, I'm off to search for a fabulous "Carbonara" or a delicious "Spaghetti alla Gricia". There's a great pasta-and-pizza joint that I’ve found down a narrow cobbled lane. I just can't help myself – Italian food is just too good! The fresh ingredients make all the difference and I am loving the new flavours and recipes I’ve discovered. I might just try making this dish myself back home when I’m back in Derbyshire! However, I’m just glad I don't need to wash up right now! Just let me grab another slice of this amazing “Pesto Genovese”, my favourite Italian pasta dish - and we're done. Stay sparkling!