This us my entry for Ladies of Hive Community Contest 238.

QUESTIONS:

1️⃣ Do you prefer to travel alone, with friends, or with family?
2️⃣ As a woman, do you consider Solo Travel as a way of 'Me Time' and self care?

ANSWER:

The questions this week are closely related, so I'm going to address both questions. Before that, though, I'd like to share a short poem I made in relation to this week's topic.

Escapes into Serenity

Often, I find myself within the four corners of my sanctuary
Hitting the road? Facing the crowds? Not in my vocabulary
Though there come days when I want a change of place
Somewhere calm, somewhere to feel nature's refreshing embrace


I don't long for the dazzling city lights
But for constellations that shine so bright
Not a fan of the bustling streets
They're so chaotic; I find no peace


I yearn for a place to hear nature breathe
Somewhere mystical; I'd never want to leave
A place to see the sun disappear into the horizon
Only to welcome it back at the break of dawn


@tegoshei

I'm a homebody, and I find peace in staying at home. My room is my sanctuary, and being here is very comforting. However, there are times when I want to go out. I long to be in nature, but the beach near our place is the closest thing to that.

I sometimes wake up early to go for a walk and witness the sunrise with my father.

I live in a city, though a small one, which could be chaotic and crowded as well. However, it's different when it's early in the morning.

When lucky, I could even witness this amazing view of the rising sun while listening to the lull of the waves.

I need not travel far to experience various things. Well, it's just my personality. I find going out and commuting so tedious and troublesome. However, despite this, I do enjoy doing so when I get the chance.

I have never travelled alone, though I'm interested in doing so. I sometimes tell my mom that I want to go somewhere alone where I can be with nature. I think it'll be relaxing and will allow me to think. Then she'd tell me, "Can't I come?" hahaha XD

In the end, I didn't do it... Well, I can't afford to do it and just thinking of the commuting time already makes me tired. T_T I sometimes hate this side of me.

When my bestie still lived in the Philippines, we used to go somewhere together. We're kind of opposite when it comes to travelling. She loves going somewhere and exploring new places.

It's funny because despite her love for travel, she doesn't have any sense of direction, so I tend to worry about her. hahah On the other hand, I'm quite good with it despite not going out a lot.

Her convincing power outweighs my reluctance, and I'm glad about that. Because of her, I was able to get wonderfully lost in nature. I was able to go to places that only used to live in my imagination. I got the chance to experience things I'd never dare to do due to my personality.

I was able to travel this year, too, because of her. She came with her hubby for a vacation, and they invited me to go on a day trip. Her way of inviting me was so interesting because she really understands me. First, she told me they were coming, then she asked me to go with them to another island... emphasizing it'll just be the three of us and that it's just a one-day trip.

She's really good at convincing me, and I appreciate her for that. I'm not a huge fan of travelling, but I don't mind going with her, or my parents... as long as it's somewhere with nature.

As much as possible, I want to avoid going to places packed with people and that are too bright and noisy. They make me dizzy and tired, so I feel like I'd be too afraid to go out again. haha

And as for solo trips... I still have this inkling to try it. I think it'd be a nice way to think and reflect about what's going on with your life. Of course, considering the place would be essential as well, especially for female solo travellers. Safety is one thing to consider because even though we're prepared and careful, sometimes it's the environment around us that behaves otherwise.

I don't know when I'll be travelling again, but my father's hometown, where my grandma currently lives, is among the places I want to return to. It's a small city but feels like the countryside. I love it there!

I'll end this post here for now. Thanks for reading and see you around! (^^,)/