You know those dreamy icebreaker questions people love to ask at awkward team retreats? “If you had two free tickets to anywhere, where would you go?” Most people say Paris or Hawaii. Classic. Basic. Lovely, sure. But me? Oh no. I’ve got the travel bug (more like a travel disease) and the cure is hardly ever local. My top ten list of must-see countries is at 50 and counting.

Two free tickets? That’s not just a hypothetical. That’s a divine challenge. A glorious puzzle. A golden Wonka passport with global implications. Because let me tell you, choosing just one place would take more soul-searching than a midlife crisis and two therapy sessions.

Let’s start with Thailand. Street food, glittering temples, lush jungles, and chaos in the most beautiful form. My stomach is basically writing this paragraph on its own. I’m so hungry for it literally and spiritually.

But then there’s Antarctica. Yes, the penguins. Yes, the ice. But mostly? The humblebrag. Imagine the dinner party line: “Well, when I was in my seventh continent…” Boom. Conversation domination.

Still, Cape Verde and Portugal are flirting with my imagination. Sun, saudade, and a little sweet grog to sip on while staring wistfully at the horizon. You know, for the ‘gram. Or for my memoir’s chapter titled “Volcanic Wine and Midlife Plot Twists.”

What about Greenland? Yes, it’s icy, moody, and sounds like the setting of a Nordic noir mystery. But that’s the vibe now. And I do love a place that’s misnamed and misunderstood. Greenland is basically the introvert of countries.

But let’s be real. If teleportation were an option? Beam me up. Mars? Sure. As long as there’s decent coffee and I can still post to Instagram. Honestly, I’ll take a free ticket to anywhere even if it’s to a cornfield in Nebraska (been yo one already) , as long as I get to bring snacks and my curiosity.

I’ve been lucky. I’ve traveled for work and wandered for joy. I’ve caught flights and feelings, jet lag and enlightenment. Every new place teaches me something. Every airport line tests my patience. And every journey reminds me that this world is wild and weird and wonderful.

So where would I go with two free tickets? Somewhere far. Somewhere strange. Somewhere delicious. Somewhere I’ve never been or maybe somewhere I need to go again with new eyes.

But let’s be honest. If someone handed me those tickets right now, I’d probably just say:
“Surprise me.”