Well, darlings, this is it! I’ve finally landed in Rome, the Eternal City, and let me tell you, the excitement levels are off the scale! My last trip, I’ll admit, was just a hop over to Sheffield for a charity performance - the whole city's so excited for a big dance-athon fundraiser soon – and then to a wonderful, rather wild, rehearsal for my debut at the Royal Opera House, but honestly, nothing could prepare me for the sheer energy radiating off these ancient cobbles!
I’m going to admit right now, I’m seriously in love with Rome. It’s so unbelievably romantic and vibrant, and of course, fashion forward, all without being the slightest bit intimidating! And with this sunshine, I can't even believe how much pink has been spotted around town - pink car, pink bikes, pink food stalls - and let me tell you, the Italian flair for making everything a little more extra means even the men here seem to have a soft spot for a little blush!
I’ve been staying in this tiny little B&B - don’t get me wrong, it's absolutely divine! So authentically Italian and brimming with the kind of charm you’d find in a fairytale. I just had the cutest little balcony - a perfect perch for taking in the hustle and bustle below - and every single morning I’ve been starting the day with a spot of practice in my favourite, very pink tutu. You can tell the locals are completely used to it because no one even batted an eyelid. Imagine that, a ballerina in a pink tutu, taking her daily dose of ballet practice in a charming little corner of Rome? What's not to love?
This whole adventure is, I believe, my own little personal "Eat, Pray, Love" story – except it’s Eat, Dance, Love. I’m swapping my trusty ballet shoes for some killer heels, swapping those fancy ballet shows for the stunning galleries and museums that this city boasts, and swapping the quiet back alleys of my little village back home for cobbled streets packed with laughter, gelato, and endless excitement!
Today's mission, well, my darlings, the adventure’s just begun! This city is like a treasure trove - you don't just go, you explore. It's not about having a plan, it's about surrendering to the moment. This morning, the cobbled streets lured me to a quaint little coffee shop nestled amongst a jumble of cobblestone alleyways. After a divine cup of cappucino and a delicate slice of their famed ricotta cake (delicious!), it was time for my first ballet performance - at a school that sounded like 'Ballet in Bloom'! Such a lovely way to stretch my muscles, to remember why I truly fell in love with ballet all those years ago, back in my Derbyshire days. That reminds me, it's time to start a little ballet adventure in my local studio soon!
Then, off I popped for a wander, letting the intoxicating blend of scents and sounds guide my footsteps - a symphony of espresso aromas, vibrant market stalls buzzing with locals bargaining, and the melodious notes of street musicians - all accompanied by the joyous laughter of children playing, like a backdrop for this magnificent Roman ballet! I stopped in a piazza for lunch - a fresh salad brimming with flavour - a reminder that life, even in a place like Rome, should be savored, and truly lived, with an openness that I'm hoping to bring back home! And, well, can I tell you how absolutely in love I am with all the leather boots and accessories they have here - my heart’s screaming out for a few pieces, but, I need to stick to the budget - at least for the time being! 😉
This afternoon, after a brief, slightly over-caffeinated nap, (the Italian coffee is potent, darling!) - and after some rather gorgeous shopping in this charming little vintage store on a tiny, charming cobbled street (shhh! I have a pink vintage beret, I couldn't resist!) – it was time to explore the sights, all crowned with the majesty of the iconic Colosseum, where the history and beauty of this ancient world whispers tales of its captivating past.
I have to admit, being a ballerina from a tiny little village in England, and stepping foot on those cobbled Roman roads, and having this breathtaking view of the city, the Roman forum, the ancient ruins… well, it all seemed to somehow mirror that very moment on stage - a powerful moment when you're taking your final bow, bathed in applause and pure bliss! All those long, demanding years of practicing, every little dance step, every leap - and there I was, under a sky the colour of twilight and surrounded by the ghosts of Rome's magnificent past. This kind of magic? Honestly, darlings, this is what keeps me dancing, keeps me inspired and fueled with the kind of passion and beauty that makes the heart skip a beat.
Tonight? It’s all about celebrating Rome. An unforgettable experience - a three course meal with pasta and wine in this little cafe with cobbled stone tables that we found tucked away from the tourist trails. Just perfect! And what is a perfect evening in Rome, if not a performance at a beautiful little Teatro in a medieval Piazza? A full-bodied dance performance - one filled with dramatic passion, and expressive movement – accompanied by a string quartet - it was breathtaking and left me speechless! The audience, I swear, was cheering and shouting Bravo - so much for the ‘silence is golden’ thing. Well, the atmosphere here was full of that 'passion of Rome’ I'd heard about, and with a sprinkle of glitter (I did my very own Pink Tutu style performance, naturally!) - that was how our night concluded, under the moonlit skies and a thousand twinkling stars - oh, and with some gorgeous Italian Gelato for dessert! 😉
This week? I’m off to explore more of the City of Rome. But that’s all a story for another Wednesday - remember to pop back on next week for my next Pink Tutu adventures here in Rome. Until then, happy dancing, darlings! Ciao Bella!
Emma. www.pink-tutu.com
