Ciao Bella! It’s Emma, your favourite tutu-wearing traveller, bringing you the latest from the heart of Rome. This Wednesday, the 17th of March, 2004, sees me on the brink of a new adventure, feeling the magic of the Eternal City pulsate around me. And just for you, darling readers, I’m taking you along on my journey, pink tutu twirling at the ready!
I travelled by train, naturally, as I adore the rhythm of the tracks beneath my tutu. It was an enchanting journey, filled with rolling hills dotted with ancient castles, and glimpses of the Italian countryside brimming with vibrant spring blooms. It made me think about how much I love these European train journeys - it's not just a journey; it's a ballet, a series of changing scenes on a canvas painted by nature, each more beautiful than the last.
Reaching Rome was like stepping into a scene from a film. It was simply breathtaking! The streets bustled with life, from the chatter of the local Romans, their words a symphony of passionate gesticulations, to the rumbling of Vespa scooters, a harmonious ballet of urban movement. And all of it punctuated by the melody of street performers, their music cascading like ribbons of sound across the city's heart.
My accommodation? A charming little apartment overlooking a charming piazza filled with a babble of life, like a story being read out loud with a hundred voices, each distinct yet part of the whole narrative. It's nestled amongst winding cobbled streets, each turn revealing a hidden courtyard or a chapel, or perhaps even a secret garden…the possibilities are endless, just like my love for the pink tutu.
After settling in, I spent the day savouring the sights. We all know how much I love me a bit of architectural flair! I am completely entranced by the majesty of the Roman Colosseum – such an incredible monument to human achievement! It's just gigantic, so beautifully imposing, and it makes you imagine the gladiatorial spectacles that took place there. What a story those ancient stones could tell if only they could speak. And the Forum, with its echoes of empires past, transported me through centuries. The ruins whispered stories of a magnificent past, while I envisioned Roman senators in their togas striding across these very stones, and Roman girls, in their colourful tunics, dancing on this very ground. Oh to be a ballerina in the Roman era, a pink tutu flowing through those historical spaces, twirling on that grand stage, surrounded by those stunning architecture - I can already picture it so perfectly in my head.
It was a day of marveling at the scale and detail of every building, a dance of stones and marble, of shadows and light, of history and beauty. I am utterly mesmerized! After wandering for hours, lost in the labyrinth of Roman streets, I found myself in the Trevi Fountain. Such beauty, so breathtaking in its scale, and with the constant murmur of its water, a chorus echoing from a long forgotten era, I threw my coin over my shoulder for a promise of return… perhaps with my pink tutu swaying around a Roman fountain for all to see, wouldn’t that be the most magical thing?!
No trip to Rome is complete without indulging in some delicious food, and oh my, Rome has completely taken me over! The food scene here is simply extraordinary! Today I tried a Roman favourite – spaghetti alla gricia. It’s so simple and elegant, but bursting with flavour - a delicious combination of guanciale, cheese and pepper. I have never tasted anything so delicious, it’s a perfect balletic balance of savoury and rich flavours. The way the spaghetti danced on my fork, the subtle symphony of flavors, each one taking a lead and then seamlessly stepping aside for another, it truly was an enchanting ballet of food.
But the true essence of Rome for me has to be the people, so warm and welcoming, with their love of life, their passionate gestures, their way of embracing the rhythm of every day. It's like they all have a song in their hearts and a story in their eyes. Even the local pigeons seem to take their leisurely time, swaying from perch to perch with a certain je ne sais quoi that only a Roman bird can possess!
My journey so far has been enchanting, but this is just the beginning of my Roman adventures! There are many more places to explore - from the breathtaking Galleria Borghese, and its incredible art collection to the enchanting catacombs - all secrets waiting to be unveiled! And, of course, no trip to Rome would be complete without seeing a performance at the Opera House. Imagine the grandeur, the romance, the breathtaking spectacle of it all.
But let me tell you, the streets themselves are an incredible stage for the theatrical performances of daily life. It's an endlessly fascinating panorama, like a beautiful opera unfolding under a Roman sun. I'm soaking it all in, letting it fuel my imagination and inspire my artistic heart. And yes, of course, my pink tutu has become a cherished part of the streetscape, with its bright colour bringing smiles to passers-by!
Stay tuned for my next adventure in Rome, dear readers, where I'll be sharing more stories about the fascinating, flamboyant, beautiful Eternal City! You know where to find me every Wednesday, on www.pink-tutu.com for your weekly dose of fashion, food, ballet and my fabulous pink tutu escapades!
Ciao Bella!
