Curious Amsterdam: FAQ

When you read about Curious Amsterdam, you were curious, right? Of course, which means you’re in the right place. I’ve answered some common queries here, but if you have other questions, please contact me. CynthiaAToriginalimpulseDOTcom.

Will I enjoy this if I don’t have a traveling companion?

That’s one of the great things about these excursions – the creative tribe bonds very quickly. The group dynamic is one of sharing, fun and adventure.

The people who come on these excursions are very likely your new friends, also traveling the creative path.

Isn’t Amsterdam all about sex and drugs? Is that what you mean when you talk about a ‘sensual experience’?

That’s for sure a tour I could see in Amsterdam, but that’s not what Curious Excursions are about. We’re about feeling the breeze on our face as we ride bikes along the canals, about the absolute impression we felt when we saw Van Gogh’s work in person, about relishing the palpable buzz of life in the city’s open air markets and cafes.

Of course, sex and drugs are part of the allure of Amsterdam for some. Our itinerary allows plenty of free time for you to explore Amsterdam according to your whims.

I don’t speak Dutch. Will I be able to communicate with the locals?

Most Dutch people speak English quite well. If you love playing with languages like I do, I recommend signing up for the Dutch word of the day and learning some basic phrases.

That said, Dutch can be difficult, the words a long string of consonants that are not pronounced in any recognizable way. My favorite: the g is a k sound. Dag (hello) sounds like Dak.

Don’t get too twisted up about the language; you’ll have no problem speaking English wherever you go in Amsterdam.

Why isn’t lodging included?

On past creativity trips, I’ve noticed that people have specific needs regarding where they rest their weary bones.

Rather than try to somehow meet everyone’s standards for perfect digs, I’ve turned that over to you.

It’s a rare opportunity to be part of a group while customizing your experience. I’ll be happy to point you toward places I suggest. My recommendations are in the juju guide that I give you as part of the excursion packet. 

Will this be worth my investment?

I’ve worked hard to make this as affordable and as luscious as possible. I’ve also got tons of fun planned for you and your tribe mates.

As with most experiences, you get out of it what you put into it. Your role will be to be open, tap your playful, joyous self, and track it all in your notebook. Makes me giggle just thinking of it.

I guarantee that this will be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. I guarantee that the juju you gather will contribute to your life, work and creativity in ways you couldn’t plan.

I can also say that all the travel I have done in Europe has given me more than any money I spent. My creativity is abundantly realized at work, home and in the studio, and I can point to trips I’ve taken as the source of much inspiration.

What kind of workshop is this?

From coaching and teaching for over ten years, I’ve discovered my favorite classroom: one where conversation sparks insights, and where writing and other creative acts drive us deeper into our vitality. Add our curiosity to a vibrant urban landscape and the learning is quantum.

The world is our classroom. I’ve never been able to sit still in stuffy classrooms. (Yes, I know that was you, too, looking longingly out the window during math!) Language arts, math, orienteering, communication arts with a bit of drawing, color and texture thrown in, and we’ve got a curriculum that tickles the student in you.

As such, I’m not disseminating a set curriculum as much as offering invitations. The learning isn’t hierarchical, it’s curvier than that! Think of Amsterdam’s bridges and canal streets, sloping up and down, curving away from the river. The learning’s more wavy like that.

We’re not creating work to critique. It’s not about doing anything well or right or creating a masterpiece. Instead our journals are part of the conversation we have with our environment and our experience. Think of it as intrapersonal work in color. 

We’ll use my creative keys to unlock our juju. The ongoing oeuvre of your life is the canvas, and you’ll have the right blend of encouragement and guidance and freedom to paint yourself large.

The only grade you’ll get in this classroom will be given by you, based on how big your smile is when you leave Amsterdam.

Bottom line: it’s gonna be a lot of fun.

So you’ll be teaching us art?

We will play in many media: improv, storytelling, word sketching, drawing, collage…..

If you have a copy of my Creative Toolkit for Travelers, you’ve got a good idea of the tools we’ll use to fill our notebooks.

I haven’t picked up a paintbrush or pen in years. Will I be able to keep up?

That’s the great thing about my excursions – it’s not about competing or keeping up. It’s about slowing down enough to take life in on an entirely deeper level.

Emerge from the digital slipstream and into the sensual world around you. Take in new insights and wisdom through your direct experience, not through someone else writing about it on a blog. ;)

What’s Pecha Kucha?

Pecha Kucha is a presentation style favored by designers and artists. Presenters show 20 slides, and are allowed 20 seconds per slide to talk about it.

We’ll have longer than that, but each of you will be asked to stand and deliver to your tribe your creative findings for the week. Imagine the most fun show and tell you’ve ever been to.

How do I know this is the right excursion for me?

If you can use any of these adjectives to describe yourself, this trip is for you. Check the words that apply to you:

Curious
Unusual
Risk-taker
Insightful
Outrageous
Understanding
Silly

Artistic
Mindful
Smart
Traveler
Empowered
Responsible
Determined
Adventurous
Merry

Still not sure? Five ways Curious Excursions are priceless:

1.    You’ve never done anything like this before: priceless.
2.    You’ll meet new creative friends and share laughs, insights and adventures: priceless.
3.    You’ll get guidance from one of the most adventurous, colorful and seasoned creativity coaches: priceless.
4.    You’ll experience Amsterdam on a completely sensual level, and will be able to travel this way for the rest of your life if you choose: priceless.
5.    You’ll access your creative juju and capture the inspiration for later use: priceless.


 
What have past excursion participants said?

If you could talk to those who’ve gone on this journey with me, this is what they’d say:

“What a gift you gave me at a crucial point in my life. A superb mélange of indulgence, beauty, and feminine empowerment that will change your life and way of seeing yourself and the world after one day, after one taste of this beautiful city.
Cynthia was so smart and helpful with the experiences, the writing, and living the French experience and beauty. 
Her presence and humor and energy empowered the dynamic in the group. It gave me the joy and hope to continue forward. I loved the energy of the group.  I loved the way it was handled and the encouragement we all received to step out of our comfort zone.
The trip has reconnected me with beauty in myself, in others, and in life.  I have made some wonderful friends and kindred spirits.  I cannot stop thinking and talking about the whole experience.
It has changed me and helped me embrace my femininity and power.  It was amazing. 

Cynthia, you rock!”

- Soo Young, Boulder, Colorado

Read about how much others love these excursions.

Still curious? Send your question to me – cynthiaAToriginalimpulseDOTcom.

About the photos: The top photo is by Rhiannon Connelly of StarryBlueSky. All other photos by Cynthia Morris.