Post #6521
Hello my gorgeous pink-tutu-loving lovelies! Today I’m coming to you straight from Edmonton, Alberta, a place I'd never dreamt I'd find myself - but isn't that the beauty of life, dear readers? You just never know where the next adventure might take you.
So how did a Derbyshire girl like me end up on the Canadian prairies, you ask? Well, the story is a classic combination of whimsical travel plans, a love for ballet, and, of course, a touch of pink tutu magic!
You see, Edmonton has this fantastic, internationally renowned ballet company - the Alberta Ballet, known for their incredible dancers and a whole host of modern, innovative productions. I'd been dying to catch one of their shows for ages, but it always seemed a little out of reach - just too far a journey for a weekend trip, you know?
Then, quite by chance, my darling Nana stumbled upon a fantastic deal on the train to Edmonton. It seemed almost too good to be true - a comfortable, luxurious journey across Canada, passing through vast, rolling landscapes, for less than the price of a posh dinner at that fancy restaurant I love in London!
Needless to say, I was all in! I had to go. I grabbed my pink ballet bag, my beloved pink tutu (of course), and the most wonderful travel-ready pink top I could find (that matching floral design, oh, my!). And then I was off on the greatest train journey imaginable.
My carriage was all plush seats and oversized windows. The views outside were incredible: miles and miles of snow-capped mountains, turquoise glacial lakes, and forests bursting with the greenest pines you’ve ever seen. I'm sure I've said it before, but I do love the smell of pine. It's so clean and fresh.
We stopped at these delightful little towns along the way. You wouldn’t believe some of the names! Think Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, and my personal favourite, Medicine Hat. It just all feels so magical, you know? As if I was in some epic Canadian folk tale, riding across the great plains.
The train was actually really civilised. There was plenty of room to practice my barre exercises – my leg extensions and relevés had everyone gazing, not in awe, but with that gentle curiosity of people who have never seen a woman gracefully stretch in public. I'm sure some thought I was crazy, but my mum says I'm not letting it go to my head.
I even found some kindred spirits on the train – a couple of young guys who were also into ballet! They'd gone to see Giselle a couple of times in Vancouver, but hadn't caught anything yet in Edmonton. So, naturally, we spent the rest of the trip gushing over our favourite ballet stories. I felt like I’d known these boys all my life. And guess what? They even asked me about my blog! They said they'd follow it and spread the love of the tutu! That was such a nice touch - you don't meet many boys into pink tutus, let alone a blog all about them!
And so, here I am, in Edmonton! After such a magical train journey, I arrived at the beautiful city feeling totally refreshed and ready for an unforgettable adventure.
First things first, I had to try some poutine! You know, that delightful Canadian concoction of fries, cheese curds, and gravy! I love the way it’s so messy. And then of course I had a milkshake! This wasn't any ordinary milkshake either, oh no, this one was topped with a pink whipped cream cloud! So sweet, and pink, just like me!
And of course, I visited the Royal Alberta Museum, just for the heck of it. I was hoping for a dinosaur or a moose – perhaps even a white wolf! But no, just a load of local wildlife that was decidedly un-pink, and I have to confess that I was a little disappointed. There was, however, a gorgeous pink display on indigenous artwork, with the most vibrant colors – almost as bright as my tutu!
As a girl with a tutu on my mind, naturally, the Edmonton Ballet Company has been top of my to-do list. I’m excited to tell you I’ve snagged some front row seats to their production of The Sleeping Beauty tomorrow night. It’s the ultimate fairytale ballet, isn't it? Just picture this: beautiful music, captivating dancing, sparkling costumes - and a princess, a prince, and a fierce evil witch! Just magical!
My mind is already brimming with ideas for my Sleeping Beauty outfit, but one thing's for sure: it's going to be all pink. And possibly adorned with a little extra glitter, you know, to really make it sparkle. I might even add a touch of lace and flowers, for a truly princess-worthy look! But hey, don’t worry, I'll let you in on the full sartorial secret tomorrow in another post.
Of course, you know me. My love for the ballet doesn’t stop at watching, it runs deep! That’s why I had to find a local class to indulge in a little pirouette and chassé in my spare time. Now, this Edmonton studio wasn't quite the stately ballroom I'm used to back in Derbyshire, but I loved it anyway! We had a fun session of stretching and barre work, and then we tackled a beautiful contemporary piece. Even with my jet lag (because I’m definitely jetlagged from that crazy train ride!), my ballet shoes were definitely clicking as we moved in sync, and that’s a wonderful feeling.
My dance friends always tell me ballet is great for the soul – but the real truth is, it’s good for the whole body! My muscles were certainly feeling it this morning – especially those beautiful long, flowing muscles in my legs, they were definitely working overtime! And for you lovely lot, it doesn't have to be just for ballet - try incorporating ballet inspired stretches into your morning routines and I promise you, your day will start beautifully. Think Swan Lake, think leg stretches... think amazing legs... and your day is going to feel magical
My Edmonton adventures aren't finished yet, and I have plenty more exciting pink experiences planned. Think horse-drawn carriages, ice cream in a gorgeous park (complete with a little pink swan on a nearby lake), a truly sensational Canadian evening sunset, and maybe even a romantic (and pink-tastic!) ballet-themed cocktail night! Oh, I do hope you’ll join me on the rest of my pink Canadian journey!
Until tomorrow my pink-tutu loves,
Emma xxx
