A London Meet-Up and a Request for Guest Posts

by Brenna Holeman

What to wear in Bhutan - 15 of 18

I’ve been thinking a lot about community lately, and about support networks. I’ve been thinking more and more about my blog’s tagline – “It’s not just the where and the how of travel, it’s the who and the why.” I’ve been thinking about what this blog is here for, and what on earth I aim to achieve from it beyond the (hopefully not but probably) navel-gazing stories about my travels, emphasis on the my.

And, of course, the more I think about it all, the more it comes back to this: the main reason I travel, the main reason I blog, hell, the main reason I get up in the morning, is because of the interactions with people I have from all over the world. Meeting new people and engaging with people from different backgrounds and cultures is the whole reason I am so addicted to travelling in the first place. I wrote a post recently about how I believe people are good, and in that I talked about how much I’ve gained and learned from interacting with people of all walks of life.

But I am just one person, and I represent just one kind of traveller. I am a white, heterosexual, English-speaking, middle-class Canadian woman in her early thirties (AKA ridiculously privileged). And while I hope what I say about travelling is valid, I’m aware that I am in no way fully representative of the travelling community I interact with on a day-to-day basis. Although the travel blogging world is saturated with people a lot like me, I don’t believe that’s an accurate portrayal of the people I meet when I travel. I also don’t think it’s necessarily an accurate portrayal of the people who read this blog, who, from what I gather in comments and on social media, are from all different backgrounds.

So here’s where I turn to you. I’d like to open This Battered Suitcase up to the occasional guest post in order to share different perspectives on travelling. I’d like to share stories from people of all backgrounds, specifically backgrounds that are different from mine: POC travellers, LGBTQ travellers, travellers with disabilities, senior travellers, and so on. As I say on my about page: “My goal is to create a fun and interactive website centred on all that travel stands for: new people, new cultures, new landscapes, new food, new outlooks on life. There is no paid advertising on this blog – it is solely for stories, yours and mine.” I’d like this blog to actually reflect that, and to reach out to a larger group of travellers. Basically, I want to create a stronger, more unified community, because – as I’ve mentioned before – I believe that so many of our struggles, our fears, and our stereotypes lie within miscommunication.

What I’m going to be doing in the next few months is reaching out to people who may be interested in writing these guest posts – some are bloggers, some are not. I’d love to hear from you in the comments if you know of someone who would perhaps like to share their unique perspective on travelling (you can include yourself!). I aim to publish one guest post per month (and yes, I will pay). The blog won’t be changing much otherwise, but I think it’s time to make it more inclusive and more representative of the travelling community. It’s time to make it not only about my travels but our travels.

And in the spirit of community, I’ve also decided to arrange my first ever meet-up! Taking place in London (England… apologies to any Ontario readers) on June 16th, I’d love if you could come out to say hello/mingle with other travellers. I haven’t booked a venue yet, but please RSVP only if you can definitely make it on the evening so that I know how large a space I need to book.

Please click on this link or on the image below in order to RSVP.

This Battered SuitcaseLondon Meet-Up

So… I hope you’re just as excited as I am about these new changes! I hope that it will bring together an even closer community of travellers, and encourage people from all backgrounds to travel more, learn more, and talk to each other more.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you in the comments, and I hope to see you in London next month!

-Brenna

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39 comments

Ashelle May 23, 2016 - 9:46 pm

This is incredible!!! If I were in London I would have definitely been there for the meet up. Unfortunately I’m stuck at school in Jamaica! Final year law degree. Nevertheless, I appreciate the step you took to provide for and include different travel experiences from various groups of people. I think this would be good for all, including yourself because it gives your blog a very multidimensional and inclusive platform that’s even more relatable. Good on you Brenna! I’ve always admired your approach to travel blogging. Keep it up.

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Brenna Holeman May 25, 2016 - 12:04 pm

Thank you so much, Ashelle… and thank you for inspiring me to finally put this out there! Good luck with your final year of school. 🙂

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Nikita May 23, 2016 - 9:49 pm

Hey Brenna, great idea! I’m sure for many people it’s not an easy choice to open up your platform to new contributors but I really appreciate your reasoning behind it. I look forward to reading these guest posts and seeing new perspectives on travel 🙂

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Brenna Holeman May 25, 2016 - 12:03 pm

Thank you very much, Nikita! 🙂

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Nikita May 23, 2016 - 9:50 pm

P.s. And I appreciate your support of the travel communinity 🙂

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Nam May 24, 2016 - 12:17 am

If I had the money to travel I would do either, haha.
wonderful ideas. I wish you all the best for your meet up and I’m sure you will find many people looking to contribute 🙂

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Brenna Holeman May 25, 2016 - 11:43 am

Thank you very much, Nam! 🙂

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Bethen May 24, 2016 - 6:28 am

Hi Brenna

The guest posts sound like a wonderful idea. I can’t wait to read other people’s posts about their travels and hear other people’s points of view on the world, especially from a diversity of backgrounds and origins. Should be extremely interesting!

I’m very much like you in terms of background (apart from the Canadian part) but would love to be considered at some point to write a post if you’d have me!! I am really hoping to be able to come to the meet up too – am going to have to see what time I arrive in London that day (we haven’t booked our train from Paris yet) and go from there. Fingers crossed I can make it.

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Brenna Holeman May 25, 2016 - 12:05 pm

Thank you very much, Bethen! I hope to see you at the meet-up 🙂

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Lydia Ward May 24, 2016 - 6:42 am

Hey Brenna this article caught my eye and I really respect your words. Love reading about what you’re doing and the consideration you take in expressing travel as a community. I’m a student traveller so if you’re ever after any articles about student exchange travel or solo female travel I’d be happy to contribute. Kind regards and keep doing what you’re doing xx

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Brenna Holeman May 25, 2016 - 12:03 pm

Thank you so much, Lydia!

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Ally May 24, 2016 - 10:32 am

The guest post contribution is certainly a good idea and if you should ever consider to reach an even wider audience by having your posts translated into another language, I’d be happy to do that for your Italian readers (I’m the one who recently suggested on your Facebook page to visit Trieste). 🙂

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Brenna Holeman May 25, 2016 - 12:03 pm

Thank you very much, Ally! Hopefully going to visit Trieste one day soon…

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Carol May 24, 2016 - 10:47 am

Such a great idea! I’m much like you, 30-something, white, American. Probably not what you’re looking for but if you’re ever interested in a piece on traveling while pregnant or with a baby let me know!

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Brenna Holeman May 25, 2016 - 11:56 am

Thank you so much, Carol!

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john mcadam May 24, 2016 - 5:59 pm

Brenna, I thought I would share one posting about my travels from my blog.

It is not a travel blog but I have several posts reflecting back on my travels; and with more to come.

Enjoy. John.

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Brenna Holeman May 25, 2016 - 11:56 am

Thank you, John!

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Lindsey May 24, 2016 - 6:34 pm

Hi Brenna,

Not only do I respect you immensely for reaching out to other people to learn about their travel experiences, but it’s also something that I’m interested in doing with my blog in the future. My whole aim with my blog is to work towards global citizenship and to interact with people from different backgrounds and cultures. I am really looking forward to reading all of these guests posts, and I would like to express my interest in writing one as well. I, too, am a white North-American woman (American rather than Canadian, though), but I would love to share some of my experiences traveling as a rather-liberal Christian woman and how that has affected who I am as a person, my faith, how I view other people and their variety of faiths, and how my perspective of the world has shifted dramatically throughout my travels. I’m not sure if that’s something you’d be interested in, because religion can definitely be controversial at times, but I’d really love to share some of my experiences in an objective manner. You really serve as an inspiration to me, to my future travels, and to my writing. So, thank you!!!!

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Brenna Holeman May 25, 2016 - 12:02 pm

Thank you very much, Lindsey! It’s so kind of you to say that I’m an inspiration. 🙂 And thank you for putting your name forward!

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Danny May 24, 2016 - 7:16 pm

This sounds so interesting, Brenna! I’m really excited to see how This Battered Suitcase develops through the contributions of people with different perspectives.

Your London meet-up sounds really cool, too. Maybe you’ll plan a blogger get-together sometime in Continental Europe (cough, Germany, cough). 😉

By the way, I’m loving the Italy-themed posts on social media. I’m heading out to Turin tomorrow for a short city trip!

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Brenna Holeman May 25, 2016 - 11:58 am

Thank you so much, Danny! Meet-ups around the the world would be amazing. 🙂 Have an incredible time in Turin!

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Ella May 24, 2016 - 8:20 pm

How exciting! I have so much admiration and respect for you for taking steps into making your blog even more inclusive and representative of travellers than it already is. I feel like your blog has always embodied what was truly awesome and meaningful about travel and its potential to unify people from all over the world. Your blog is at the core of a genuinely beautiful community, so it’s cool to know that it’s going to become even more of the same.

I would love to put my name forward and contribute a guest post if that’s okay. I’m a white, financially privileged female, but I’m also gay, struggle with a couple of mental illnesses and come from a controversial corner of the world, so I reckon I could contribute stories of different travel experiences.

I unfortunately won’t be able to attend your meet up but I think it’s very cool that you’ve decided to do one. I hope you have fun! 🙂 x

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Brenna Holeman May 25, 2016 - 12:01 pm

Hi Ella, thank you so much for your amazing comment! It really put a smile on my face. I might be in touch with you in the future about a post, so thank you for putting your name forward. 🙂

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Kristina May 25, 2016 - 12:34 am

Hi Brenna
I think u should have my mum do a post; she and I have travelled around the world but she also travels alone. Did a pilgrimage thru france for her 60th, spent time last year in Ecuador and for her 70th this year she is hiking yukon’s highest peak and a glacier 🙂

Anyway- her email is [email protected] if u are interested.
Take care and I look Fwd to ur incorporated peeps 🙂
Kristina /missy

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Brenna Holeman May 25, 2016 - 12:01 pm

Thank you very much Kristina! It sounds a lot like my mum 🙂

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LC May 25, 2016 - 9:21 pm

Oh bummer, would have loved to have come to that meetup, but am working that night. 🙁 My Dad’s travelled loads as a paraplegic, he’s got some pretty wild and interesting stories to tell.

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Jennifer May 25, 2016 - 11:39 pm

Man, I wish I were closer to London! It would be so fun to do a meet-up. If you are ever in the Portland/Seattle area, let me know! And I would love to do a guest post for you someday if you are interested. I just finished some pieces and I’ve been feeling so inspired lately.

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Lillian May 26, 2016 - 6:25 pm

Great post and wonderful initiative to include the community and different points of view. I’d love to contribute but seems like I have a similar profile to you! Go Canada 🙂 Look forward to reading the different perspectives. Especially since I follow and tend to gravitate to travelers and expats like myself, it’s a good opportunity to discover and connect with other people.

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Tiffany May 26, 2016 - 10:10 pm

Hello Brenna, I just read a few posts after I came upon your Instagram page. It seems great all of your travels and experiences. You have a wonderful way of documenting and sharing them with others. My husband and I are traveling for 6 months and will be in London during your meet up. We’d love to connect and gain some insight and new perspectives on traveling and blogging from you and others who attend. I put our website link in the info section if you’d like to see it- I started it not long ago to record our journey, and let our parents know we’re safe 😉

Thanks for hosting the event. We look forward to meeting you.
Tiffany

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Judi May 27, 2016 - 5:04 pm

I’m disappointed I’m not in London for your first meet-up. I love the idea and am sure it will be a success!

I enjoy your writing and deeply admire that you keep your site free from advertising. Its rare to find that in the travel space. I’d be honored to share a few travel experiences with you and your readers. Every time I visit a new place, I’m stunned by how little I really know about the world (and life). Coming home is both bittersweet but enlightening.

All the best to you

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Bella May 30, 2016 - 12:58 pm

The meet-up is such a fantastic idea, I wish I could come! (Sadly no-one’s invented a way for me to magically teleport myself from Australia to England…yet). I look forward to reading all the different perspectives on travel. Its funny how one experience can bring together so many diverse, unique people; just like you said, its a community.
Though not exactly diverse, being white, extremely privileged and Australian, I would love to write a piece if you’re ever looking for something from the viewpoint of a young traveller.
I nearly gave my parents a heart-attack when I asked if I could travel to Guatemala and Belize on my own after completing high school, but being as supportive as they are they told me if I could pay for it, I could go for it, which is how I ended up working weird jobs, like as a mascot in one of those crazy suits at my local shopping centre. Strangely, a lot of friends and family were averse to the whole idea of me going (to the point of a well meaning friend printing off a crime statistics fact sheet for one of my destinations), but this in a way just proved that I really should see things before myself before judging. Though I’ve travelled a lot for my age, this trip comes to the forefront of my mind because it helped me to mature and grow, to gain independence, and to realise there is so so so much more to explore out there! I put a link to my blog in the info section, its part travel, part food ( a lot of food), and the rest is whatever thoughts strike at a particular moment.
Bella 🙂

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Brenna Holeman May 30, 2016 - 2:25 pm

Thanks Bella! Hope you can make the next meet-up. 🙂

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veena May 31, 2016 - 11:34 am

I’m not sure how unique my perspective is, but I would love to chat about writing a guest post 🙂

And enjoy the meet-up! Wish I were in London for it, but perhaps I’ll luck out on my next visit to the city.
xx

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Brenna Holeman June 1, 2016 - 12:15 pm

Thanks a lot, Veena!

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Paige May 31, 2016 - 7:54 pm

As always, I so, so admire both what this blog currently is, and the exciting new directions it’s moving. I would LOVE to attend the meet up, but alas, I won’t be in London in June–but I will be at the end of July! 🙂

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Brenna Holeman June 1, 2016 - 12:15 pm

Aw, it’s too bad you can’t make the meet-up! Let me know when you’re in town. 🙂

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Zalie June 12, 2016 - 6:03 am

I love the idea of featuring guest posts and for others to share their perspectives on travelling 🙂

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Kathryn June 16, 2016 - 4:14 pm

Hi Brenna,

Catching up on your new posts! Your blog has always been an inspiration for me, especially when I lived abroad last year. I would love to be a guest post on your site. I love writing about how race and appearance contribute to a person’s specific experience in that country.

Thanks!

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Alyssa July 6, 2016 - 6:39 am

This is such a great initiative and I hope more bloggers follow suit. Diverse community is everything.

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