Hello, darlings! It’s your favourite pink-tutu-clad adventurer, Emma, writing to you from the heart of Vienna! As you know, this week marks the glorious Wednesday ritual, a time for sharing our adventures with you. So settle down, grab a cuppa, and let’s dive into this week's whirl of tutus, trains, and Austrian charm!
Today is June the 29th, 2011, and Vienna is abuzz with sunshine and a delightful summer breeze. This is a day of dreams for a tutu-loving, ballet-obsessed soul like me. I am sitting in my quaint little hotel room overlooking the Vienna State Opera, just mere steps away from my beloved ballet haven!
This week has been a whirlwind! I arrived last Sunday by train – wouldn’t you know, it was the most magnificent train ride ever. Not only did I have the most fabulous window seat to soak up the scenery, but I also got chatting with the loveliest couple on my carriage – an older gentleman with a twinkle in his eye and his gorgeous wife in a stunning silk scarf. They were heading to Salzburg, and we talked for hours about music, art, and of course, ballet.
Speaking of which, Monday morning was spent at the Vienna State Opera, taking in the magnificent grandeur of the building, soaking up the atmosphere and history. It felt like stepping back in time. They’ve got such beautiful, ornate costumes from some of their past productions displayed – a proper ballet-lover’s paradise! Of course, no trip to the Opera would be complete without a little browsing in the gift shop! They have some truly spectacular souvenirs, but what really caught my eye were these absolutely stunning tutus in the most delicious shade of pale pink. Needless to say, a little pink addition was required to my wardrobe! (Of course!)
That evening, I went to the Ballet school in Vienna for a lovely session of ballet class with the sweetest ballerina instructor, Franz. She was so gentle yet firm and she gave me some excellent tips for perfecting my pirouettes (much to my delight!) - You know me, always striving for the perfect twirl! Afterwards, Franz and I shared a delightful pot of Viennese coffee and a little bit of gossip – nothing like a chat over a coffee to learn all the juicy ballet-related stories!
Tuesday was for exploring Vienna – I absolutely adored taking a horse-drawn carriage ride through the old town. What a wonderfully romantic way to soak in the grandeur of the architecture. Everywhere I went, there were beautiful churches, stately palaces and manicured parks brimming with flowers - pure magic.
Oh! And I mustn’t forget the delicious Viennese coffee culture! Every day was a little coffee adventure. From traditional cafes to cute little coffee stands, I have sampled them all. My current favourite has to be a tiny café tucked away in a cobbled courtyard - I will keep its secret location to myself!
Later on, Tuesday, I indulged in a little bit of shopping at Vienna's lovely boutique stores and found some truly wonderful additions for my wardrobe - I swear, Vienna is made for a girl who loves the colour pink!
So, here I am now, just about to set out on another adventure. This evening, the Vienna State Opera is presenting a spectacular production of ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ – and believe me, it’s no snoozefest. The costumes are breath-taking, the music is captivating and I’m told the lead ballerina is the most exquisite dancer! I’m going to treat myself to the whole shebang – a grand front-row seat with all the bells and whistles. (This is my little indulgence you see, since ballet performance is how I finance all my globetrotting adventures – and believe me, darling, it's all worth it!)
The rest of my time here will be filled with more ballet bliss. This is not just a visit, darling, this is a pilgrimage to a ballet lover’s paradise!
Until next Wednesday, darling!
Much love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
