Wednesday 3rd August, 2011
Hello my lovely tutu-tastic readers!
It's Emma here, your pink-tutu-clad, ballet-obsessed blogger, reporting live from Vienna, the most magical city in Europe. Can you believe I've made it to Austria, land of Mozart, Sachertorte, and most importantly, stunning ballet? This trip has been a whirlwind of pink delights, ballet dreams come true, and let's be honest, plenty of delightful shopping!
Before we get to the glitz and glam, let's rewind a bit. Last week, you might remember I was sharing my travels around England on a delightful train journey, culminating in a performance at the lovely Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
It was magical! After a lovely chat with a couple from Vienna in the stalls, they invited me to their home town, and what could I possibly say? Vienna is calling, and I must go!
I must admit, the train journey was just as delightful as I imagined. My fellow passengers couldn't help but notice my pink tutu - even on the journey from London to Vienna. My vibrant outfit, which I'd strategically picked to reflect the gorgeous pink tones of a Vienna sunrise, became a source of much fascination for everyone, prompting plenty of friendly chats, and even a few envious glances from fellow fashionistas.
Once I arrived in Vienna, my lovely new Austrian friends led me to a charming hotel. Can you believe, the staff was wearing pink! What a perfect match! And then it got even better. They'd kindly arranged a delightful carriage ride for me, taking me on a breathtaking tour of the city, passing grand buildings, sparkling fountains, and quaint cafes – Vienna really is something out of a fairytale!
Now, I know you all want to hear about the ballet, and you won't believe what I got to see! On the opening night, I went to the magnificent Vienna State Opera, a venue of architectural splendour! There, the Vienna State Ballet gave a magical rendition of Swan Lake! The music, the costumes, the choreography, the dancers' breathtaking leaps - it was truly unforgettable. And even the intermission was delightful, as I savored an exquisitely sweet and pink piece of Sachertorte, while admiring the opulent décor. The perfect end to a perfect performance!
Speaking of the Sachertorte, I must confess, my shopping sprees haven't disappointed either. The streets of Vienna are simply bursting with pink treasures: the most stunning silk scarves in pink tones imaginable, ballet shoes in every colour, and dresses, oh those dresses! I snagged a pair of chic pink ballerina flats perfect for the occasion, and of course, a vintage, lace pink tutu to remember the evening.
Tomorrow I'm looking forward to taking a ballet class with some students at the Vienna State Ballet School! I imagine it will be pure bliss! This beautiful city has a long and prestigious history of dance and artistry, and it seems like I've landed smack in the heart of the action!
One of the best things about Vienna is its incredibly strong history with the ballet world! And when I'm not performing or taking class, I love to stroll around the historic streets of Vienna, imagining its illustrious ballet past!
For instance, I went to the Imperial Riding School - the Spanische Hofreitschule, which is one of the oldest training schools for Lipizzaner horses, used in Vienna's Spanish Riding School. Since I love riding horses and love ballet, what a combination, eh? Just to note, Vienna has been at the heart of ballet history and the Spanische Hofreitschule is one of the oldest training schools in the world for dressage riders and their horses! Ballet in Vienna dates back to the 1700s and there are a multitude of places connected with its glorious ballet history, which is worth exploring when you get here, so many places to discover, just a reminder to the ladies... it's not just for ballerinas. I’ve tried on pink tutu’s on almost every street in this enchanting city and people love it! And in all that exploring, let’s not forget a glass or two of a good, crisp Viennese wine! I have to be honest, Vienna does take their drinks seriously.
So stay tuned, my dear tutu enthusiasts. I've got so much more to tell you about Vienna's magnificent ballet, from historic performances to secret boutiques brimming with pink tutus! In the meantime, don't forget to visit my blog at www.pink-tutu.com every Wednesday for the latest adventures. And most importantly, keep dancing and embrace the joy of life with a sprinkle of pink tutu magic.
Lots of love and twirls,
Emma xoxo
