A True Getaway
How often do we feel like going on vacation is exhausting? Not only do we plan excessively for a time that's supposed to relax us and be enjoyable, it's not uncommon to constantly feel obligated to do "something" while you are somewhere on vacation.
One time I stumbled upon Getaway, a startup from Harvard's Innovation Lab that aims to provide a getaway experience that aims to recharge you and reconnect you with people and surrounding. The experience is primarily based on a minimalistic cabin in a remote area and no internet! Spontaneity and less troublesome planning is encouraged by only disclosing the exact address of the cabin 48 hours before check in.
Friday after work, we kicked off this exciting experience with a 2.5 hour drive north of Boston. The cabin is well equipped with basic utilities and its eco energy approach should still meet modest every day demand. It's simple and beautiful inside the cabin, with the space designed for you to interact with each other, from my perspective. In fact, the most unexpected part of this experience to me is that my significant other and I were truly reconnecting and interacting through doing so many things together, including cooking, reading, cleaning, talking and playing games. The fact that the amount of utilities/functional items, electronic devices and internet access (no wifi and though we both had 4G reception, we opted to airplane mode) are limited, you are so immersed in the present moment and focus on what's in front of you and each other. Surprisingly, but also not surprisingly, being off-the-grid and unplugged for 2 days doesn't make you miss out on anything. The important things will be there waiting for your attention, and the unimportant items will pass by without you even realizing.
To me, the most valuable experience from this getaway is the feeling that I felt productive while not excessive planning what I should be doing. It was the first time ever I finished a book in a day, but I'm actually relaxed and recharged.
The cabin has an eco approach to energy, with a propane heater, solar panel, electric toilet (with 15 flushes), 300 gallons of water and a cooler for food. Being eco-friendly and consume less energy didn't quite bother me at all. After all, simple is more indeed. Why are we always going for the excess?
The cabin was minimalistic, but we didn't want to eat boring food. If it's a feast for the soul, it shall be a feast for the body as well. We started off the first dinner with simple seared scallops with truffle salt.
Followed up with gourmet bacon and Italian sausages from Moon in the Pond farm in Berkshires, MA, for breakfast.
Later, a hearty Japanese chicken curry with onions and broccoli for lunch.
However, I have to say, it was a disappointment to us that for whatever reason (perhaps the inability to survive in wilderness), we couldn't get the fire going for some real grilling. But I brushed it off, I'm here experience and not missing out on experience.
In comparison, this 2-night getaway experience probably costs less than a 2 people dinner at a Michelin star restaurant. Despite my appreciation and admiration for good food, this haute experience of a true getaway will win, every time.