The idea of "slow travel" as a part of the slow movement has been around for a while. I remember talking about it while I was still a design/trend researcher working on projects in a design consultancy world. I remember that I liked the concept back then... The idea really resonated with me.
Fast-forward few years... now we have our humble boutique brand Baum-kuchen which believes in love for analogue and travel for life. "Love for analogue" lends itself to the process that is slower and more mindful than an alternative, more digital ways of doing things. Staying curious and being in a present moment during our travel always bring a lot of discussion about the meaning of life...
I think that this summer... between our trip to Oahu, Japan (The Superior Labor visit, Kurashiki and Naoshima) and Michigan, we have really come close to understand how it feels to experience "slow travel".
While we were in Michigan, we spent 90% of our time at a lovely lakeside Cottage which belongs to Susan's family. Between swimming in the lake multiple times a day and helping the girls nap in the afternoon, I really never left her Cottage. I am so used to be driving everyday in Los Angeles... it was so refreshing to understand how it feels to go nowhere and just enjoy being.
I watched Satchi and Coco swim and play in the lake water, doodled on my journal and tried watercolor lettering, ate Susan and her sister Ann's amazing meals, cooked a few Japanese recipe inspired meals for everyone, watched the sun move across the lake horizon, watched moon set and found so many shooting stars on the dock with our friends Corey and Liam, got a spontaneous career coaching from Ann, talked about life and more life... and did a very special blueberry picking outing.
I feel so lucky that I had a chance to connect with my girls and friends in a real meaningful way. Those moments will be cherished forever and I know that Michigan will always be very special for them in life.
Thank you Susan for sharing your special place with us.
xoxo
-wakako
