#TutuBlog 1664
www.pink-tutu.com
Hello, lovelies! It’s Emma here, bringing you a blast of colour from a rather chilly Barking, Essex. Today I’m wearing a glorious, swirling cyan tutu that feels like a dream come true! The crisp January air just makes it dance even more, and frankly, the only reason I haven’t pirouetted into the River Roding is that I don’t want to scare the ducks. They have a very strict dress code, you see, all about the neutral colours – boring!
But this trip is anything but boring! Barking might seem a bit… unexpected for a tutu-clad ballet lover, but there’s an amazing dance academy here with a brilliant performance tomorrow. It’s a classic Swan Lake, and let me tell you, I’m not only bringing my best tutu – I’ve packed a special pair of silver ballet shoes just for the occasion! The entire city is buzzing about it, and the ticket-seller told me he even saw a local vicar practicing some graceful moves in the park!
It feels good to be out of Derbyshire for a bit. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love my home county, but even a ballerina needs a change of scenery! Especially when you're talking about a trip like this – a journey by train through some of the most beautiful countryside you'll ever see, with glimpses of rolling hills and snow-capped fields. Oh, and let’s not forget the wild horses! Now, they’re a sight for sore eyes, particularly when they’re sporting a beautiful white coat! They’re quite a sight on the way to Barking – definitely something to be enjoyed on a trip to the east!
As I said, there’s something magical about travelling by train, particularly when you’re wearing a pink tutu. The fellow travellers just can’t help but smile – it's infectious! They’ve all got their stories, and their dreams. I chatted with a group of teenage girls on their way to London who want to be ballerinas – they’re all about the classic pink tutu, and that just warms my heart! Then there’s a man in a brown suit with a pair of ballet shoes tucked under his arm! A ballet fanatic on the train, I thought!
One thing about Barking that is totally unexpected is the street theatre. I stumbled upon a group of performers doing an energetic and colourful dance piece, with all kinds of tutus and costumes that I'd never seen before. There were so many exciting and modern takes on traditional styles, with leaps and twists and vibrant colours – absolutely thrilling! I spent a good hour just watching, mesmerised by their talent and the incredible energy of the performers. Maybe I should have been in the theatre world? Maybe one day...
I’m going to dedicate the rest of the evening to finding the perfect café with the best hot chocolate in the whole wide world. And then maybe… I'll attempt a little practice, find a quiet corner where no one can see, and make my own little stage. You never know, I might just meet another dancer – a new tutu friend – out there! And I’ve got the perfect place in mind: The Barking Town Square – under the watchful eyes of the statue of the ‘Queen’ of Barking! Now, that's the perfect location for a ballerina in her pink tutu!
The tutu world awaits – or at least this exciting little corner of Essex! Until tomorrow, lovelies! Keep it colourful and keep on twirling.
Emma
P.S. Check out my new favourite website – www.tutu-tastic.com – all about the history and the magic of the tutu! So inspiring!
