http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ Just another bbPress community en Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:59:18 +0000 http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/why-slow-travel#post-205 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:40:36 +0000 ms372 205@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>Hi!<br /> I'm also a postgraduate student researching Slow Travel for my dissertation. Looks like it's suddenly becoming a popular topic. I'm at Exeter University and have been reading a lot about slow travel in the books &#38; papers written by Janet Dickinson, am I right in thinking she's based at Bournemouth too? I'm hoping to assess the relative viability of slow travel as an alternative to mainstream tourism. Would be really interested to hear about your research too.<br /> Mair </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/why-slow-travel#post-204 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:43:30 +0000 peacemaker362 204@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>Hey guys! I am one of slow traveller, excited about finding this website and happy to answer those questions. </p> <p>-What makes you become a slow traveller?</p> <p>To integrate people, society and culture where I travel. I wasn't slow traveller at the very beginning. Yet, the more I travelled through travel agency or trip package, the more I felt being just observer or visitor who was not able to know what's going on there and see real society. (Of course, it is still hard to get totally into the society where I am traveling as a slow traveler.)</p> <p>For that reason, I stopped being a tourist but became a slow traveler in order to understand this world. Staying one place for a long time, taking eco-friendly public transportation, consuming local product are sorts of slow travel. But also, exploring local culture and historic place not through big travel agency but local or "slow travel agency". All sorts of things make me feel well integrating with local people and have better understanding not only culture and society but also environment and this world. </p> <p>- What kind of difficulities might prevent you to adopt the concept of slow travel?</p> <p>The biggest difficulty for me "budget". You might think that slow travel would cost less. However, think about this way. Especially, Europe has amazingly good transportation including flight, which tend to be cheaper than train or bus but pollute the most. Every time I travel within Europe, I need to fight with myself whether to be flight or train. Not easy choice for poor student! Second difficulty is that if I want to explore local community then it takes some time to get to know what is "real local community and their culture", avoiding touristic spot. There are some good slow travel agency, then they normally cost more than normal trip package as volume of their business is smaller and need to make sure that they are not following the same path which has already done by mass travel agency. Those are tricky for me to do slow travel. (through the agency can be for people who do not have enough time to organise trip by themselves) Second point is also one of main concerns for slow travel agency as people are reluctant to pay more than others. </p> <p>I strongly believe that slow travel should expand its territory and influence on people. Not only staying longer and using local product but also taking the environment into consideration and having better understanding of local culture and society are in need for doing slow travel. </p> <p>I might be wrong but this is what I have learnt from my travel and would love to share this with people who are concerned this issue. If you have the will, being a slow travel is not that easy and really cool to do! </p> <p>Hey, I do hope my answers help you for your dissertation and lets hope that slow travel will be the main stream one day! Goo luck with that. Cheers! </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/why-slow-travel#post-203 Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:00:09 +0000 Emily12 203@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>I think I can't be qualified as a true Slow Tourist. But I tend to move about quite a bit when on holiday. I usually spend a few nights in one place and then move to another for a few nights and move on again making stops along the way to my next destination. I drive at a leisurly pace and enjoy the journey as much as the spots in which I choose to stay.</p> <p>I choose where to stay based on sights I would like to view in a certain place and I leave enough extra time to explore things that I might not have known about in advance. It's not quite Slow Travel but it works for me and I don't feel that we need to hurry to meet someone elses itinerary.</p> <p>Sometimes I hate being delayed in an airport, endured a long-distance bus trip,I feel like frustrated and for me, waiting may be an uncomfortable and undesirable part of the journey. I know that using public transport is good for the environment I'm not sure but how many people think of the environment when travelling? I do kind of recycling and turning off the lights (unnecessary things. The idea of slow travel is good but not as a main thing. </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/why-slow-travel#post-202 Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:44:39 +0000 Micheal Balfe 202@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>Hey guys, I have to say I am one of the slow tourist in the Uk. I had just started to be a slow traveller since i'd finished my university and desired to have a one year gap before I start finding a job. </p> <p>-What makes you become a slow traveller?<br /> There are several reasons for me to become a slow tourism. First reason is Time. As I have a plenty of time to traveling. I desired to travel on my own bicycle because I can take my time to travel with my own and get a feel for the place that i visited. Also, i love to contact with local people and the food. The another important reason for me is money. Secondly, as i have no job right now,I think slow tourism can save my money cause i don't have to pay for expensive transportation such as flight ticket or hiring car. </p> <p>-What is your primary reason to choose slow travel?<br /> Personally, I would say money of the main reason for me to choose slow tourism. If i choose slow tourism, i could save money for the next trip. </p> <p>-How do you engage in or practice slow travel? And why?<br /> For me, I normally travel without rush. I ll go everywhere I wanted and stop whenever I feel tired. Also, I love to chat with local people, learn their culture and something new. </p> <p>-What kind of difficulities might prevent you to adopt the concept of slow travel?<br /> I can say my family is the one asking me for stop adapting the concept of slow tourism. They said that slow tourism is the waste of time and dangerous. </p> <p>-What efforts were made to deal with these difficulties?<br /> I try to make them understand by encouraging them to travel with me and experience how slow tourism is because i think if they experience the slow tourism by themselves, they would understand everything clearer. </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/looking-for-slow-products-to-showcase-in-magazine#post-201 Mon, 26 Sep 2011 21:19:16 +0000 jacmott 201@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>Thanks for the Trike information ... and keep up the suggestions! </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/why-slow-travel#post-200 Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:37:38 +0000 Jedi 200@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>Thank you all for your valuable comments. In addition to all of the above, I have another questions as follows;</p> <p>-What kind of difficulities might prevent you to adopt the concept of slow travel?</p> <p>-What efforts were made to deal with these difficulties?</p> <p>Before asking the questions, let me introduce myself! I am a postgraduate student at Bournemouth University in Bournemouth, UK. I have been studying Slow Travel from the slow travellers'point of view for my dissertation. I am very interested in finding out more about individual's involvement in slow travel and I am currently using the internet to try to gather some information. </p> <p>The information I am trying to gather I believe will help everyone who has a stake in helping to understand how slow travel is perceived and understood by the people who are interested in or persuaded (or not) by them. This would include anyone who organises or supports slow travel, and might contribute to helping make future efforts maximally effective. I would be happy to share my findings with you on an individual basis, if you are interested in becoming involved in this very importatnt research area.</p> <p>I will respond to everyone who answers my questions,and if you have any questions about this research, please feel free to ask me. Please note that this is for Non-Commercial purpose!</p> <p>Thanks. </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/why-slow-travel#post-199 Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:12:41 +0000 Lucky303030 199@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>I have never thought about this. Sometimes people get too dependent on cars and flights. I try not to use my car much. Instead, I got an electric bicycle to commute btw my home and office. I thought I wouldn't be able to live without a motor much longer but some of my collegues had kept telling me about their e-bicycle. I am NOT saying that you should buy it but it's really good to know something around you that you have never seen, and it's environmentally friendly.</p> <p>What makes you become a slow traveller?</p> <p>Well! there are many reasons why I would prefer to travel slowly rather than other forms of transport.</p> <p>-I like to travel slowly. Some people prefer to go by car or train instead of flight but I would prefer to go to travel by walking or cycling because I can enjoy and relax!as well as doing physicall activity.</p> <p>-Staying longer in one place can enalbe me to understand of the environment and culture. I would like to spend alot of time learning something which is new as I can experience as a new challenge.</p> <p>-I like to get an authentic experience and visit a place where is not known as the tourist attraction which means that we can see the real rural communities that have not yet recognised. </p> <p>How do you engage in or practice slow travel? and why?</p> <p>_I often travel by taking time around a city , not rushing, resisting the urge to follow itineries, and engaging with local people is a great opportunity to learn something new. I feel very comfortable when travelling slowly and enjoy it every time. </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/why-slow-travel#post-198 Sun, 25 Sep 2011 21:16:20 +0000 Alison 198@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>Hi! this is an interesting topic. I'm not a stric slow traveller but I tend to stay longer in one place and move occasionally only when something attracts me to move. But sometimes it depends on where I am and what I want to see.</p> <p>"What makes you become a slow traveller?"</p> <p>I would say I am becoming a slow traveller. I travel slowly for many reasons. I like to get a feel for and experience a place, the local people and the food....To be perfectly honest, I have never though why? may be because it is more relaxed and I want to learn more about the culture. Probably...I'm living in London? Everyday my life is so fast and hectic enough like commuting to work, doing my job and getting back home. </p> <p>Um..the second question is like overlaping with the first one? Just want to be relaxed and encounter other visitors and the people who live there? </p> <p>"How do you engage in or practice slow travel? And why?"<br /> I often travel by train...hum well I can just sit back and relax as the views roll by outside my window....a fast check-in service and on time?. It's perfect for me who simply want a seamless central city to central city journey without hassle. If offers an easy, comfortable journey with all the flexibility I would expect from it. What is more, when arriving at a place, I walk, I explore because I feel like "peaceful"? If you have ever visited in London, especially walking in Oxford Street!..:)</p> <p>Hope this helps!</p> <p>Alison </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/why-slow-travel#post-197 Sun, 25 Sep 2011 20:06:13 +0000 Jedi 197@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>Hello Everyone!</p> <p>I am not yet actually a slow traveller, as I have limited time for my trips abroad. I agree with the slow travel philosophy but it is hard to practice slow travel. Of course, slow travel is suitable for everyone to practice but I assume that slow tourists may be motivated by different reasons.</p> <p>I have already read so much about slow travel on this website as well as other related websites, but I still have some questions. I would like to understand slow travellers and why they travel slowly.</p> <p>I would like to ask the general questions - If you are a slow traveller? </p> <p>-What makes you become a slow traveller?</p> <p>-What is your primary reason to choose slow travel?<br /> For me, I have been trying to explore my immediate locallity such as a small community or suburb in which I have never visited. Of course I use public transport or sometimes walking and cycling, and I realise how amazing walking and cycling are, both allow me to understand and experience the place like becoming a participant interacting with the place, culture and local people. </p> <p>-How do you engage in or practice slow travel? And why? </p> <p>Please let me here from you all:) Thanks! </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/looking-for-slow-products-to-showcase-in-magazine#post-196 Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:26:27 +0000 jawnn 196@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>slow vehichles are hte best concept, I can't stand how fast cars move.</p> <p>see these new trikes at the link below. and read my own raving blog:<br /> <a href="http://commutercycling.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">http://commutercycling.blogspot.com</a></p> <p>Feetz: Leaning Trike, Independent Steering, Converts to Stroller</p> <p>Onyacycles: Leaning Tricycle</p> <p><a href="http://cargocycling.org/tricycle" rel="nofollow">http://cargocycling.org/tricycle</a> </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/looking-for-slow-products-to-showcase-in-magazine#post-195 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 02:49:22 +0000 ilikedaisy 195@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>I look. </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/looking-for-slow-products-to-showcase-in-magazine#post-194 Sat, 07 May 2011 19:47:23 +0000 jacmott 194@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>Slow Magazine is nearing its second birthday, yes 8 issues under its Slow belt. In our next issue that comes out nationally (Australia) on June 1, 2011 - we'll be featuring London's rewardrobe - as a result of this wonderful forum.<br /> Oh no, Slow Magazine is not online, still just on high quality paper, but if you check our website you can order an international subscription, and then we'll meander over to the post office and snail mail it to you, ANY WHERE in the world.<br /> So, would love to hear about more Slow enterprises, trends, products and quirky events to feature in our award-winning magazine. Jacqui </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/slow-commuting-vehicles#post-193 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 08:55:56 +0000 BIANKAJ 193@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>I never thought about this, but it could be some usefull info in the future. I think that sometimes people become too dependent on cars... (and to sometimes other technology as well).. and become disconnected with things. A car often offers a person another way to segregate themselves from others. I believe that eliminating that, and possibly slowing down the transportarion (in order to see what is arround us) is cruscial. It (i believe) helps us:<br /> 1) understand the environment better<br /> 2) understand ourselves better<br /> 3) make better decisions </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/canadians-are-working-too-much#post-192 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:34:43 +0000 tbergbus 192@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>Recently released figures from OECD show that Canadians aren’t just busy beavers but world-class workhorses when it comes to hours worked per day.<br /> See <a href="http://www.progressive-economics.ca/2011/04/18/canadians-working-too-much/" rel="nofollow">http://www.progressive-economics.ca/2011/04/18/canadians-working-too-much/</a> </p> <p>We are ranked fourth highest of 30 countries in terms of total minutes, paid and unpaid, worked each day and fifth highest in terms of paid work. Only those in Japan, Korea, Mexico and China worked on average longer hours at their paid jobs each day than Canadians did. </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/slow-commuting-vehicles#post-191 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 19:57:51 +0000 jawnn 191@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>There is a town that promotes slow travel by golf carts etc.<br /> <a href="http://www.peachtree-city.org/index.aspx?nid=216" rel="nofollow">http://www.peachtree-city.org/index.aspx?nid=216</a> </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/slowing-down-eating-and-our-tastebuds#post-190 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:36:55 +0000 jawnn 190@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>slow deep breathing also helps </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/slow-commuting-vehicles#post-189 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:16:18 +0000 jawnn 189@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>Cars move too fast, they cause all kinds of problems buzzing around at 30 to 80 mph. I never used my car much, so I finally gave it to the junk yard over a dozen years ago. </p> <p>I’ve been cycling ever since. And I have written an extensive blog about the technology required for a car free life style. <a href="http://commutercycling.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">http://commutercycling.blogspot.com</a></p> <p>One year ago at age 60, I realized that I was not going to be able to live without a motor much longer. So I started researching how to build an electric trike. People kept telling me that I had to drive up hills as fast as possible to keep the power system from burning out. That didn’t sound right to me.</p> <p>It took me two years to find out the reason that e-bikes can’t climb hills slowly; it was so simple that I could not see it. With all the technology that goes into an electric power system, it boils down to one simple thing, “gears”.</p> <p>If you’re going to build a single gear machine it should be a low slow gear, hub motors are built for speed and therefore have problems moving a heavy vehicle up steep hills. Not only is it the law that power assisted bikes have a speed limit of only 20 mph, it also saves a lot of energy.</p> <p>Life at 20 mph or slower is much safer, relaxing and just costs much less money. An electric golf cart would make a good truck, but if you want to build a sexy aerodynamic micro car to save even more energy, read my blog page about it ( <a href="http://commutercycling.blogspot.com/2010/10/secrets-of-motor-pedal-hybrid-design.html" rel="nofollow">http://commutercycling.blogspot.com/2010/10/secrets-of-motor-pedal-hybrid-design.html</a> ), and if you think these vehicles cost too much do the math on your car.</p> <p>I believe that slow electric vehicles will become very popular in the next decade, and slow commuter bicycles will finally get some popularity. Now is a good time to start using them. </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/slowing-down-eating-and-our-tastebuds#post-184 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:38:47 +0000 Pennie 184@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>I try to avoid any processed foods or foods or drinks that contain chemicals and preservatives. I don't think those chemicals are really healthy for our body. I prefer to eat fresh foods and simple drinks like fruit juices, tea and water. </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/being-a-vegetarian-helps-you-slow-down#post-183 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:36:07 +0000 Pennie 183@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>My favorite part of being a vegetarian is growing my own food. I love eating fresh vegetables and herbs straight from the garden. The other positive about being a vegetarian is that I'm aware of everything I put in my body and know that I am eating healthy. </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/keeping-the-kids-active#post-182 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:32:37 +0000 Pennie 182@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>It seems like there are so many distractions kids face in today's world. Rather than spending time playing sports and being active, they spend their free time playing video games, surfing the Internet and texting. It's important as parents to encourage our kids to be active and limit their time playing video games and watching TV. </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/suggestions-putting-slow-into-community-development-projects#post-178 Fri, 06 Aug 2010 19:56:13 +0000 tbergbus 178@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>Hi Elise!</p> <p>One option might be to identify a "slow" community development initiative associated with amenities-based rural development. "Rural amenities" refers, broadly, to the non-market or hedonic aspects of community economic and social life that contribute to the attractiveness of rural communities. The "slow", buccolic character of specific rural places is often cited as one key feature of rural attractiveness, and is closely related, at least as far as the tourism sector is concerned, to local food.</p> <p>Since the mid-1990s, rural policy makers have been moving to a combined sectoral and place-based approach to rural development. This dual approach strives to respond simultaneously to industry-specific needs and the cultural, environmental and societal priorities of places. A typical expression of this dual approach is the OECD’s promotion of amenities-based rural development (ABRD), which may be described as the use of non-production aspects of the rural environment from which individuals, communities, or society at large derive utility. It is this utility and corresponding valorization of rural amenities that are considered potential resources for rural development. It might be worth looking Swiss, French or Italian rural development initiatives to see if there is an amenities-based model that fits your purposes. </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/slow-sport-in-spain#post-177 Tue, 03 Aug 2010 09:25:46 +0000 albertootaduy 177@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>Hello everyone. </p> <p>I´d like to show to this comunity the way we do sport in the north of spain. For generations we´ve been playing PALAS which is an sport played with wooden raquets and a tennis ball, normaly in the beach. We live this way of entretainment as an slow life sport, as we never compete.<br /> The thing is , playing as tennis but the ball never touches the ground and there are no rules, and not any points to win. You have to hit de ball in the best possible way, this makes the ball to reach the other player in the most suitable way for him/her to hit it back.</p> <p>It is an slow way to play. There is no stress at all, there is no anxiety for winning, there is no expensive club fees, it is only a matter of sharing.</p> <p>Have a look <a href="http://www.compartapalas.com" rel="nofollow">www.compartapalas.com</a></p> <p>enjoy it </p> <p>alberto </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/suggestions-putting-slow-into-community-development-projects#post-176 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:03:33 +0000 Elise 176@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>Suggestions Welcome!</p> <p>I am seeking to embed the slow philosophy within existing approaches to international development projects. Does anybody share my interest or know of any developments in this area of Slow? Perhaps a set of 'slow' guidelines in approaches to humanitarian problems could benefit the quality of outcomes for beneficiaries of development aid..?</p> <p>To those of you who have practically applied slow guidelines, a code of conduct, etc. to an organizational setting, what has been your experience of doing so for project beneficiaries/outcomes? </p> <p>I ask because I hope to introduce the idea of slow into an established community development project. Yet, the team have not heard of the ‘slow movement’.</p> <p>Idea for the Report's Outline:</p> <p>- Acknowledge pre-existing effectiveness of ‘slow’ practices in the organisation<br /> - Locate area’s that could do with a 'slower' approach<br /> - Identify obstacles to implementing change<br /> - Outline the benefits of altering the organization’s approach. </p> <p>(I am spending 4 months in the head office in Australia for the initial report. I then hope to examine the outcomes of a ‘slow’ organizational approach for the beneficiaries living in Cambodia).</p> <p>Any feedback? Does anyone see a need for this?</p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/slow-travel-with-a-professional-travel-companion#post-172 Sat, 15 May 2010 03:15:49 +0000 trygve rolfsnes 172@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>Veronika,</p> <p>I act both as a companion but also as a guide. For sure I do not know all countries and places. So far I have visited close to 60 different countries around the world. I have been to all countries in South America as they are my favourite countries. But there will always be new places to visit. So if you want to travel with me, just send me an e-mail..!</p> <p>Trygve </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/slow-travel-in-the-vezere-valley-the-cradle-of-mankind#post-171 Sun, 11 Apr 2010 21:23:53 +0000 cavesandcastles 171@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>If you're thinking of visiting the Dordogne (or other areas of France) why not think about a self catering holiday? It's relaxed, it's easy - you can eat in or eat out. Go out and visit places or stay at home and laze around, swim in the pool, read a book, go for a stroll, paddle a canoe. The Cave Art is phenomenal - you get really close to your ancestors here. Lascaux II is just one example. Sarlat - a 'must visit' for many people is close by too. How about Rocamadour? - it's second most visited site in France.</p> <p>Add into this scene a day or more with a professional archaeologist who lives locally and knows and loves the area. He'll help you to see the bigger picture easily and comfortably. You'll quickly learn so much more doing it the slow way! Want to know more? Contact Steve &#38; Judie Burman and Caves and Castles - for Slow Travel in the Dordogne. </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/go-french-for-summer-sun#post-170 Sun, 11 Apr 2010 21:14:45 +0000 cavesandcastles 170@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>May, June and September are great months to visit our part of France (the Dordogne) - even October, but expect it to get a bit chilly in the evenings, especially towards the end of the month. But since we have wonderful places like Lascaux II, Font de Gaume and Les Combarelles - so what if the weather is a bit iff-y? This is the Vezere Valley - the 'Cradle of Mankind' - it all started here SLOWLY. Things didn't change for thousands of years - so why rush seeing it now? Come, stay, enjoy! Steve &#38; Judie, Caves &#38; Castles </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/wedding-photography-why-its-best-not-to-rush-through-it#post-166 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 06:01:45 +0000 sayrajames 166@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>The information you gave is really informative as a wedding photographer....The schedule you divided is sufficient that how much time is devoted to the bride and groom and how you catch the other people......the time management is necessary and the event wise management is also helpful for the clients......!!!!<br /> _______________________________________________<br /> <a href="http://www.mvpstudios.com">San Diego Photographer</a><br /> <a href="http://www.mvpstudios.com">Orange County Photographer</a> </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/nomadic-retirement#post-165 Sat, 27 Mar 2010 02:56:53 +0000 john miceli 165@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>My own retirement dream is to have a low-maintenance home-base, with the opportunity for extended travel to great places around the world. One of the benefits of retirement should be the freedom to do just that without causing financial hardship. So I asked myself how to blend the freedom of retirement with the human need for connection and inspiration, and the cultural benefits of slow travel. I’ve been developing a housing concept that allows and even promotes extended stay visitors. I'd like to promote, encourage, and support the development of 100 housing co-ops around the world into an international exchange. While this could be developed by a single entity and rented or sold as condominiums, the ability to really celebrate the local culture seems to suggest local ownership as a much more appropriate approach. Once these prove successful, this concept can be increased to hundreds more locations around the world, and achieve the true promise of cross-cultural exchange and understanding.</p> <p>The main idea here is that each co-op would include an additional hotel type room for every 8 - 12 units, and provide access to common areas such as kitchen, dining, reading, laundry, and fitness spaces. This would ensure there would always be some opportunity to visit any of the locations involved. To add more detail, I developed the following principles to help blend these ideas into a single coherent, overall concept. I think many of these ideas and principles overlap, which at least suggests some coherence, but may also simply reflect my own personal goals and values.</p> <p>12 Nomadic Retirement Housing Principles</p> <p>1. Slow Travel Co-op or Franchise – providing hotel type rooms along with common space for regular visitors up to 3 months; associated with similar facilities around the country or world<br /> 2. Active Living – integrated into a pedestrian neighborhood, with a garden, fitness equipment, near a park and/or bike path<br /> 3. Connected – WAN, cable, near services (groceries, entertainment, etc.; many retirement communities create these services within their facilities; wouldn’t it be great to use established ones?), and public transportation<br /> 4. Small is Beautiful – max. of 32 units, helping to avoid high concentration (and isolation) of retirees; this also allows greater potential in locating near established neighborhoods<br /> 5. Sustainable – Using 50% less resources than comparable facilities, LEED Gold?<br /> 6. Accessible – internally as well as near easy public transportation<br /> 7. Lifelong Learning – near a college, museum, library, conservatory (College Towns may be ideal locations)<br /> 8. Volunteeristic – near schools, museums, parks, places of worship to allow meaningful and fulfilling opportunities<br /> 9. Affordable – doesn’t exceed average local rent (too many great ideas end up being only for the wealthy).<br /> 10. Inspirational – near places of worship, natural wonders, great places<br /> 11. Designed and built as if you or someone you love will live there, with care and detail and nuance.<br /> 12. Promotes Companionship – visitor and pet friendly </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/time-productivity#post-164 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:29:41 +0000 GiGi 164@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>Try to innovate.Use your time in a creative way. Get out and have a coffee to break the day. And then come back to work more positive.<br /> Define your tasks and don't let them to catch your time after the working time. (I know it's difficult because I work with my family too).<br /> If not, change work. </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/slow-professionals-group-on-linkedin#post-163 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:28:53 +0000 tmoberg 163@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>Dear members,</p> <p>I just want to tell you that I have started a 'Slow Professionals' group on LinkedIn. You are welcome to join us.</p> <p>All the best,</p> <p>Tomas </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/giving-precedence-to-the-participatory-approach#post-162 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:40:04 +0000 syvella 162@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>Of all the living beings on the planet, it is the human race that has the intelligence and the ability to alter the environment. No other living creature has caused any damage to the natural environment like the human race. Peterson (1996: 27,28) takes a more hard-hitting approach to linking human ecology with ecosystem management. He advocates four extreme approaches to human ecology that humans use to define their relationship with the planet.</p> <p>These include:<br /> 1. Dominion: This implies rule by a monarch, where humans are held to be in charge of the earth. They can be exploitative or serve the well-being of all, in their role as ‘king’.<br /> 2. Stewardship: This paradigm puts humans in the role of the caretaker of the earth, managing the earth in trust as an agent of some employer or client. The client may be the human race or the earth itself.<br /> 3. Participation: This role sees humans in symbiosis with other species of the planet, so that a position of equity is conveyed. Humans serve by constructing cooperative and complementary relationships through which all other species are better off.<br /> 4. Abdication: Here, all rights to proper living in a particular area are relinquished when such rights conflict with the functional values of other species. Humans are caught in the predator-prey relationship just as other species are.</p> <p>The implications of these four approaches to ecosystem management, according to Peterson, are that effective human management of the ecosystems will not occur without gaining a clear understanding of the place of people in the context of the ecosystem. In <a href="http://www.keralatravelcompany.com">kerala tours and travels</a> across the length and breadth of the state have a common feature. It is the participatory approach, wherein a visitor is taken around to see the natural beauty of the land without altering or damaging the natural surroundings. </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/time-productivity#post-159 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:22:30 +0000 jogo44 159@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>I live in a small town and work for a small family business.....they believe in busy work....if there are no customers, you find something to keep busy even if it is meaningless.....how does an employee gain more control over one's working life....i dont know how to practice, slow. </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/lectura-lenta#post-158 Sun, 17 Jan 2010 14:21:11 +0000 Carl 158@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>Bienvenida a Slow Planet, Iris! </p> <p>Por ahora, la língua franca es el inglés. Pero queremos tener otros idiomas en el futuro.</p> <p>Igual, mientras tanto, puedes postear aquí en castellano. Hay mucha gente de habla-híspana en Slow Planet.</p> <p>Un saludo slow,<br /> Carl </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/lectura-lenta#post-157 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 06:19:40 +0000 iris 157@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>Hola acabo de ver este sitio y me interesa mucho pero no se ingles alguiene podría ayudar gracias </p> http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/topic/lectura-lenta#post-156 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:47:44 +0000 Carl 156@http://www.slowplanet.com/forums/ <p>Estoy plenamente de acuerdo! La lectura rápida es una pérdida de tiempo. </p>