There is a rhythm that is older than us. That does not strike a clock, but that you feel. It is the rhythm of ebb and flow, of sun and rain, of sowing and harvesting. At Oost we live with that rhythm.
Guests often ask me: “How did Oost ever come into being?” The answer is always simpler than people expect: it is close by. In nature. By looking, listening, feeling. Everything we do grows from it.
Here, on the east side of Texel, nature determines not only the view, but also our inner compass. The moon dictates when we harvest and plant, its position shows us when something is ripe — not only the fruit, but also our ideas. We follow the seasons, the wind directions, the movement of the elements. Each element contributes to how we cook, how we create, how we live. And therefore also how we receive you as a guest.
Our rooms are not a refuge that excludes nature, but a place of rest in which you recognize it. The scents of wild herbs, the sounds of birds when you wake up, the flavors of a dinner in which the ecosystems pass by. You feel the connection with nature and this is what it means to be in Oost.
We invite you to Oost to fall silent for a moment
To listen again to what your body already knows, but from which your mind may have wandered. Here you don't have to 'do' anything, just be. And sometimes that is the hardest thing there is. But also the most beautiful.
When you go home again, we hope that you will take some of that rhythm with you. Maybe you will plant a handful of herbs on your windowsill. Maybe you will eat more often with the seasons. Maybe one day you will feel the wind turning, and you will suddenly know what is needed or what choice you may make. Because nature is not a destination, it is everywhere.
It speaks softly, but if you listen, it will show you the way.
See you soon, in Oost
Valerie
Ps. How to bring the rhythm of East home with you
You don’t have to live on an island to live closer to nature. Small choices make a big difference. Here are a few simple ways to experience a piece of East at home:
Go exploring
Explore your neighborhood and be amazed by even the smallest bits of nature in your street or neighborhood. From the first daffodil to the last blossom, the first ducklings to the last blossom.
Grow something edible
Even on a windowsill you can grow arugula, basil or radishes. Choose organic seeds, use good soil, and above all give love.
Choose consciously in the season
Print out a seasonal calendar and hang it on your fridge. By eating locally and in season, you not only support farmers and the environment, but you also taste more intensely.
Follow your rhythm, not your agenda
Plan a day without to-do’s. Let what you feel guide you. Go outside, put your phone away.