Wednesday 19th May 2010
Guten Tag from Vienna! Oh my heavens, Vienna is absolutely enchanting! I simply adore this city. Everything feels so elegant and romantic. Even the cobbled streets seem to sigh with history. And I'm absolutely spoilt for choice for gorgeous tutus, as you can imagine!
Vienna has been on my bucket list for ages. Ever since I devoured "The Sound of Music" at about the age of five, the idea of swirling around this musical wonderland in a fluffy pink tutu had me completely captivated!
I arrived by train - what can I say, I am a complete sucker for train journeys. There's just something about that slow rhythmic click-clack on the tracks, the scenery flashing by... it's pure magic, and you're transported in style! I was sat opposite a handsome gentleman in a fetching grey suit. Naturally, I wore my favourite bubblegum pink tutu and an exquisite floral headband. He must have thought I was a little mad - well, darling, sometimes you have to embrace a bit of whimsy!
Vienna station was bustling with people, everyone was rushing in different directions, and the air was thick with the smell of sausages and coffee. It was a heady sensory experience - and it got even better when I stepped outside! The grand buildings with their gilded details were just as impressive as I imagined, and there were horse-drawn carriages everywhere, taking passengers along the graceful avenues. Of course, I had to take a ride!
I felt like a princess stepping out of a fairytale! I could barely contain my excitement as the horse clopped gently down the street, and I giggled as I admired the charming cafes and flower boxes along the way. Vienna is really a city for romantics - especially those with a penchant for the colour pink, and tutus, naturally.
And speaking of tutus, let's talk shops! There are SO many lovely boutiques and antique stores, bursting with vintage gems just waiting to be discovered! I managed to snag an absolutely breathtaking tulle masterpiece in a delicate shade of blush pink, the most stunning piece I've found on my travels so far!
Of course, the reason I'm in Vienna is to experience the city's vibrant culture, especially its dance scene. Did you know that Vienna was once the capital of the world for ballet? Now that's a fact that really gives me a twirl! The legendary Vienna State Opera has such a rich history, it’s a place of breathtaking beauty, a stage where history unfolded in leaps and twirls.
Today I saw "La Traviata" - a performance so emotionally powerful, I felt tears prickling my eyes as Violetta’s haunting aria echoed through the grand theatre. Every single movement from the dancers was a poem, a whisper of beauty, of loss, of love. My heart nearly exploded with emotion, and the exquisite music took me to a higher plane. There’s something truly transcendent about experiencing ballet in such a magical setting.
Oh! I almost forgot to tell you - this evening I was lucky enough to take a ballet class at the Vienna Ballet Academy, surrounded by beautifully disciplined dancers who pirouetted with the grace of swans. And just wait till you hear what they do - imagine: a magnificent room, floor to ceiling windows flooded with light, the gentle tap, tap, tap of shoes on the wooden floor as dancers stretch and rise... a scene out of a dream. I was almost afraid to breathe, for fear of breaking the enchantment.
I spent a couple of hours enjoying a private tutuing session with the Head Tutor, who taught me some gorgeous movements from the famous 'Giselle' - so many grand leaps and turns! You just have to be prepared for those graceful kicks and a few cheeky leg extensions when you're out and about in Vienna, as the ballet influence seems to infiltrate every aspect of daily life.
Oh my, I'm already completely in love with this enchanting city! And tomorrow, I'm planning a little excursion to Schönbrunn Palace, one of the most important royal residences of the Habsburg dynasty. Who knows what wonderful tutus or even an historical princess costume I'll discover there? I'll be sure to tell you all about it in my next blog post.
Until then, may all your dreams be sprinkled with stardust and glitter,
Love, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
