Bonjour mes amies!
It's Wednesday again, and you know what that means... time for another Pink Tutu Vienna adventure! I'm writing to you from the most beautiful, enchanting city I've ever been to - Vienna. The cobblestone streets, the ornate architecture, the majestic palaces - it's a fairytale brought to life.
I've been waltzing around Vienna for the past week, taking in all the sights and smells and enjoying every single delicious pastry. This city really knows how to do cakes, trust me. There are also an unbelievable amount of stunning shops - oh my word, the shoes, the jewellery, the clothes... a shopaholic's dream!
I came to Vienna with the promise of a truly beautiful experience - a trip on a real-life carriage horse and cart. This city embraces tradition, and they even have these amazing traditional cabs with a gorgeous pair of white horses. I was so nervous at first because the only horse I'd ever ridden was a donkey on a family holiday to a farm in Derbyshire (it was actually my fault he decided to leap over the gate - let's just say, he was rather offended by my inability to control him!). However, I shouldn't have worried, this pair were pure magic and they even posed for a selfie for my Instagram. This time, I managed to sit still! I was utterly spoilt, being driven around the heart of the city while enjoying the most divine selection of pastries and Austrian coffee I have ever experienced.
Vienna has been a treat for all my senses, particularly for my eye, which has been mesmerized by all the gorgeous ballet and theatre performances that I've been attending. Yesterday, I went to a breathtakingly beautiful show at the Vienna State Opera, watching a performance of The Nutcracker. The costumes, the dancers, the music... I can't get enough! My favorite scene was the Sugar Plum Fairy's variation - such grace and precision! I was so mesmerized, I almost didn't notice a little bit of confetti falling on my pink tutu - which I do admit was slightly stained with a rather delicious looking chocolate sauce! (Perhaps a little too much of that incredible coffee and cake combination.)
However, I was too caught up in the performance to really worry - after all, what's a pink tutu adventure without a little mess? It adds character! It wasn't until later that evening that I started to realize how sticky it had become.
Before I headed over to the Opera, I attended a wonderful ballet class here at Vienna’s prestigious Vienna State Opera Ballet School. Imagine the delight of dancing in a historic classroom amongst the original dance students! Oh, how I wish I could tell you more about their experience and how it shaped ballet, but my mind was rather distracted at the time by the stunning and incredibly talented instructor! He’s certainly got the right moves! It’s a good job I can do a great pirouette or my mind might have really gone completely adrift... but this amazing opportunity to meet such inspiring people, alongside the history, and beautiful classroom environment truly made for a remarkable afternoon.
As you all know, my pink tutu is always with me on my adventures, even when it gets slightly messed up - It just goes with the territory of travelling for a ballet blogger! However, in my latest Pink Tutu Diary entry, I shared a new project which involves restoring old tutus. I was feeling a little nostalgic when I stumbled across this rather elegant dusty tutu whilst hunting for inspiration at a flea market. It’s not the most “perfect” tutu, however, it has a beautiful history.
Speaking of tutus, did you know that tutus are almost as old as ballet itself? They are truly unique, changing over time, but they were designed to represent something utterly sublime - it truly takes the grace, power, and poise of the ballerina to fully encompass this ethereal design.
So, it's been a whirl of a week here in Vienna! And while my adventure in Vienna is only just getting started, I'm already excited to explore even more of this stunning city, its captivating cultural heritage, and to maybe catch a show or two at the Vienna State Opera.
Oh, and of course, you can follow me on Instagram (@PinkTutuVienna) for a behind-the-scenes look at all the amazing things I'm getting up to! And don't forget to check out my Pink Tutu Diary on the blog for more insights into the world of ballet.
Till next time, keep twirling!
Emma
P.S. Today's a perfect day to visit the Hofburg Palace. Don't miss out on its rich history and beautiful architecture. Also, check out the Schönbrunn Palace for some stunning Baroque gardens! Don’t forget your camera - you won't regret it!
