Wednesday 9th April 2003
Darling readers, I'm so excited to be back with you today from the beautiful city of Rome! It's a little chilly here this week, but the sun is shining brightly and the sights are stunning. I just can't help but feel like I've stepped straight out of a Renaissance painting.
It's hard to believe that I'm already four months into this epic Italian adventure! This blog marks my forty-ninth post since embarking on this fabulous journey across Europe, funded by my favourite thing – ballet, of course. A few of you have asked how I manage it all. I’ve been so lucky. There’s always a show to perform in and, most importantly, there’s an endless amount of gorgeous places to visit along the way! I always travel by train, the ultimate romantic way to travel. Imagine my pink tutu shimmering by the window as we journey past stunning landscapes!
Last week in Vienna, I had the absolute pleasure of seeing an absolutely magical ballet performance at the Wiener Staatsoper – "La Traviata" if you’re interested in putting it on your "to watch" list! My favourite part of the whole show was the Grand Pas de Deux, the chemistry between the dancers was electric. Oh, to be whisked off into a beautiful world of dance and emotion just like those gorgeous ballerinas…
After the performance, we all celebrated at a grand ball, which was even more magical than I could have ever imagined! The Viennese ball tradition was pure perfection, waltzing with handsome gentlemen (of course, all my shoes were pink – tutus are perfect for that sort of event) and all-round fabulous festivities!
But, enough of Austria already, I’m back in the Eternal City, the heart of the Italian Renaissance! Today's journey has begun, starting at my favourite place to go shopping - the Trevi Fountain! Did you know that if you toss a coin in the water it guarantees you will return to Rome one day? Of course, that is what I did, but I must admit, this city holds my heart in such a way that I might never want to leave! And with all this fashion inspiration everywhere, I might be coming back just for a shopping trip alone.
Later on today I’ll be attending the incredible Colosseum. Can you believe it’s only about twenty minutes walk from where I am now?! My flatmate Emily (who, by the way, loves pink as much as I do) and I plan on a wander through the ruins and some truly luxurious gelato for our after dinner treat! The Italians truly do gelato best.
On a more sartorial note, darling, the shops here are out of this world! All those stunning colours and gorgeous fabrics have me practically frothing at the mouth. I already snagged myself a pink scarf (just look at me, you’re surprised – shocking!) but, I swear, everything in Rome is pink-worthy.
For tomorrow’s agenda: Emily and I will be hitting up the Galleria Borghese. You know how much I love a beautiful museum - a chance to experience more of that stunning artistic and historical beauty. The museum’s courtyard is known for its immaculate gardens and a delightful display of Renaissance statues, plus its a really nice walk to take too.
And after that, the day will culminate in a delightful evening at a lovely Italian Opera House where I will enjoy some local music and possibly (and I stress this with emphasis on possibility, I mean, there’s nothing more important to me than the joy of the performance) I will be showing off my ballet skills in a wonderful display of classical ballet on stage. If my pink tutus are anything to go by, I’m guaranteed to get a standing ovation!
Speaking of pink, there's absolutely nothing like a pink tutu for capturing the true essence of Rome. The Colosseum is quite majestic with all those brown hues and yellows, it begs to have a beautiful contrast to complete the colour spectrum. And that contrast – in case you were wondering – is PINK. It adds a modern twist to the age-old wonders and allows everyone around to experience a little bit of pink tutu joy. Plus, it’s an opportunity to inspire others to find their inner ballerina!
Now darling, you know how I am. It’s going to be another day filled with exciting events and experiences. I'll let you know all about it when I post my next blog next Wednesday! Keep checking www.pink-tutu.com for your weekly dose of my Italian adventure! And in the meantime, don't forget to always wear your pink tutu with confidence. Remember, it's not just a piece of clothing, it's a symbol of freedom, grace, and boundless joy. Ciao, bellas!
