Finding My Own Neverland

By: Holly Nye

When I was 16 years old, I dreamed of finishing high school and moving to New York City to become an actress. I had never been to NYC; however, my perceptions were so vivid. As a child, I felt that place was my “Neverland.” No experience whatsoever contributed to this idea. I just felt like NYC was where I wanted to be. Little did I know, life had different plans for me …

So what makes me an expert on travel? My Bachelor’s in Fine Arts and experience as an actress in a major Las Vegas production certainly do not. My current profession as a Yoga Alliance certified Yoga Instructor has allowed me to broaden my mind, but my passport? Not so much.

Then, about six years ago, I had the opportunity to travel the world full-time.

Since the day I packed all of my belongings into the back of my white Honda Civic and headed east, past the burnt desert roads of Vegas, I’ve visited over 60 cities in 15 different countries all over the world. Each day I lived this lifestyle, the more addicted I became to traveling; and, the more I realize I’ve seen very little compared to what there is out there. The world can be both much bigger and much smaller than we anticipate.

Since 2005, I have been on the road with a Cirque du Soleil touring production, accompanying my partner. During that time, I worked permanently for the company for three years. Now, like many of you out there, I’m self-employed, teaching yoga and working on several freelance writing projects. With the exception of my student-loan payment, I have the luxury of living completely bill-free, other than personal expenses I choose to have, such as my beautiful butter-cream colored Gucci bag and my Amazon Kindle.

While I’m thrilled to explain more to you about living and working with the circus, I am very focused on living in the present (must be all that yoga!), and presently I find myself in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam. This Dutch city is the capital and largest city in The Netherlands.  Located in the province of North Holland, the first images that may come to mind are its famous coffee and the mysterious Red Light District. But, one also must take into account Amsterdam’s profile on women and business. During the Golden Age of the late 17^th century, Amsterdam was the leading location for finance and diamonds. That’s right, diamonds. This world trade contributed to Amsterdam becoming the wealthiest city in the world. Talk about a “Girl’s Best Friend!” The Amsterdam office of the Dutch East India Company created the world’s very first stock exchange in 1602 by trading its own shares. Today, seven of the world’s top 500 companies are located amongst the picturesque canals of the city, including ING and Philips.

The women who reside here have been a force to be reckoned with for centuries. Let us not forget the 13 year-old girl whose ambition it was to become a published author; and, whose diary has become one of the world’s most read, discussed and beloved books. Anne Frank called Amsterdam home from 1933 until her arrest and transportation to Auschwitz concentration camp in 1945. From a teenage girl to the famous women of the night, who have traded office cubicles for glass windows or doors adorned by red lights, Amsterdam is diverse in everything it has to offer. Not all is sex-museums and coffee shops. A few stops on the metro can bring you the largest collection of Van Gogh paintings and drawings in the world, or to the breathtaking Rijksmuseum if Rembrandt is more your style. You’d be hard-pressed not to fall instantly in love with the beauty of the canals, located right in the heart of Amsterdam, which were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in July of 2010.

During my three-month stay, I intend to take it all in. My intention is to get to know these women who hang their handbags in a place rated 13^th globally for quality of living. I’ll share a coffee with women working in the world’s “oldest profession” and investigate the ambitions of the ladies who spend their days brewing that famous coffee. In the end, I intend to share it all with you.

As a starry-eyed teenager, I thought I knew exactly where I wanted to go, before even getting there. Today, the unknown is what drives me, both personally and professionally. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, I suppose! And, anywhere that’s known for diamonds is a place I want to be!

Holly Nye is a Yoga Alliance certified Yoga instructor and has been traveling the world with Cirque du Soleil since 2005.  You can find her blog at http://girlseekingbliss.wordpress.com/