Wednesday, 27th March 2013
Ciao Bella!
This week I've traded my Derbyshire cobbled streets for the cobbled streets of Rome! The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and I'm twirling through the Eternal City in a new pink tutu that I picked up at a fantastic little boutique tucked away in the Trastevere district. This is my first trip to Rome, and I'm completely in love. It's got that air of classic, timeless beauty that reminds me of some of the most enchanting ballets, and the atmosphere is simply magical!
Rome truly is a place where history comes to life. Yesterday I spent hours wandering around the Colosseum, picturing gladiators battling and emperors cheering in the arena. It's unbelievable how these ancient structures have stood the test of time, like silent giants witnessing the ebb and flow of history. The city just oozes history, even the shops seem to have a history! I did some shopping for my trip, and there was this charming little vintage shop called "Le Bellezze di Roma" (Rome's Beauties), bursting with retro-style outfits and vintage hats! They had a dress I'm sure I'm going to wear tonight for a very special event, just need to accessorize!
Later on, we went to the Borghese Gallery and Gardens. They were even more incredible than I had imagined. It’s like stepping into a real-life fairy tale – elegant statues surrounded by beautiful green landscapes, fountains cascading with crystal clear water. The Borghese Gallery itself housed stunning Renaissance sculptures and paintings that just took my breath away. It was like dancing in a museum – I was literally tiptoeing from one masterpiece to another! I had to dance through the Gallery, and I'm convinced my pink tutu somehow softened the lighting to a gentler, rosier shade – the staff didn't mind and I made several friends that way, although no one joined in!
But of course, what’s a visit to Rome without a pizza feast?! Last night, we indulged in the most delicious, mouthwatering pizza at a small, family-run trattoria. It’s safe to say, the pizza here is in another league! I can see myself happily sampling pizza here every night. The delicious smells and lively atmosphere transported me back to one of the best performances I've been to, The Nutcracker, in all its glory - where the music, the dancers, and the stories created such a magical sense of celebration and wonder. There's nothing like the spirit of celebration that comes from enjoying a lovely meal with your loved ones - like dancing together on stage!
And speaking of performances, I have something really special planned for today – I'm seeing a ballet at the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma! 😱 It's a production of Swan Lake, and I’ve heard whispers it’s spectacular! I'm already practicing my best swan lake poses, and my new pink tutu is the perfect shade of pink to blend with the backdrop! It's even pinker than my tutu and me are usually – but maybe it’s because I'm feeling so giddy! I can't wait to get a taste of the magic and excitement that only the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma can deliver.
The Roman energy is contagious, and I’ve been so caught up with the sites I haven't even stopped to mention my travelling partner. My new travelling companion is my dearest friend Anna – she’s my tutu-twin! It wouldn't be the same exploring without my very best friend. It's just like dancing together - always supporting each other and encouraging each other. Anna, of course, came along with a pink tutu! We're such a stylish twosome, even here in the heart of Italy. It seems all the locals love our tutus.
I'm also looking forward to exploring some of the city’s hidden treasures – charming cafes, bustling markets, and ancient churches. And of course, no trip to Italy is complete without a gelato treat. My aim is to discover the creamiest, tastiest gelato in all of Rome. It's only fair, I think! We already found a very lovely cafe, full of gorgeous Italian men - and that's all they've got going for them - I need some extra special gelato, and I don't want to share, although Anna seems intent on sharing!
After my gelato adventure, I’ll be heading back to my beautiful hotel for some writing time. I love journaling about my adventures! It's almost as therapeutic as dancing.
But that's not all – I’m starting a brand new pink tutu challenge! I'm hoping that maybe by the time I return from my Italian travels, more and more people will have been inspired by my blog and my outfits, to take up my challenge! It will mean that everyone gets to experience the pure joy and beauty that a pink tutu brings! We could make it an even bigger celebration of pink and dance, and who knows, maybe my new blog entries might be a beautiful visual display of everyone rocking their tutus - it could happen!
For now, I'm going to enjoy every minute of my Roman adventure! Until next Wednesday, be sure to pop over to www.pink-tutu.com to check out some fabulous photos!
Ciao for now!
Emma
