This week, the Ladies of Hive community (again) [asked](https://hive.blog/hive-124452/@ladiesofhive/ladies-of-hive-community-contest-165) a question that resonated with someone of a traveling bend such as myself, namely:
>Would you accept an all-expenses paid trip to another country but it means spending the holiday alone? Why or why not?

Obviously, to someone who spends half the morning browsing airline deals, the question immediately clicked, with the answer being **of course!** Obviously, provided I get to handpick the destination. I wouldn't go just *anywhere*, but if the place is of my choosing, then I'd have no trouble going over alone.

*Why?*

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*Source:[Pinterest](https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F151855818664333098%2F&psig=AOvVaw1p1cRE090CvJcaaGTvFyFF&ust=1702905322837000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjhxqFwoTCODF7u3GloMDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD)*</center>

## Higher chances of meeting cool people.

I mean, if Christmas classic *The Holiday* is any indication, women traveling alone for Christmas have much higher chances of meeting people like Jude Law or Jack Black than women staying at home.

Seriously, though, I've done my share of traveling alone, and one aspect I've always loved is the opportunity to meet new people. Obviously, you can do that whenever and with whomever. But when you're alone in a foreign place, there's an added incentive to socialize, even so as just to have someone to go for drinks with on occasion, or tell how your day's been.

On the other hand, being in a foreign place for the holidays can be quite isolating, especially if you're in a mostly paired-up, and family community. So if traveling alone, I'd like to arrange some social activities to meet interesting new people.

## Trips are expensive.

I would take an all-expenses paid trip any day, and almost anywhere, if only for the insane cost of air-travel, accommodation, and so on. If you break it right down, it's an unparalleled opportunity to go discover some exciting new place on someone else's dime. What's not to like?

I'd take it and be grateful for the opportunity. How often does someone offer to pay for your vacation, you know?

## Christmas is just a day.

Obviously, being someone who hugely enjoys the festivity of Christmas, being alone for it would bum me out. But at the end of the day, December 25th is just a day, if you're not of a religious persuasion, and I certainly am not. Largely, the hype we've grown accustomed to is commercial. 

People keep asking if I've got something planned for Christmas or New Year, you know, as they will, and I think it's a bit silly. See, when they say that, people typically mean big parties or getaways. I don't get the fuss though. Why should one random date in the calendar make me more or less inclined to live a fun life, you know? 

On that same consideration, I don't see a big deal in being alone some place on December 25th. I mean, if someone asked the same LOH question about a random date like March 25th, you wouldn't hesitate. Nothing sad about being alone on March 25th, and nothing so about being alone on Christmas, either. Our culture simply convinces us there is, and that you should rile against it.

So for the above reasons, I'd take an all-expenses paid trip to some place nice anyday. And I don't think my family and friends would fault me. 

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*[Source](https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Faminoapps.com%2Fc%2Flotr%2Fpage%2Fitem%2Fbilbo-baggins%2FBPfm_IoGQZPllnDNkVedlmDv6zl53g&psig=AOvVaw1iRNojJmKafgyuzjiv9Rcg&ust=1702905388654000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBIQjhxqFwoTCNDv74nHloMDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAH)*</center>



## The real question is...where?

I mean, if it's an all-expenses paid trip, I'd like to say something exotic like Bali or Kyoto. Then again, I wouldn't say no to past favorites, like Lisbon or several places in Spain, or Prague, either. So I'm just gonna float the idea, maybe someone out there is feeling inspired :D 

## Would you go?


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