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LifestyleTravel

Another (Another Another) Year Older

written by Brenna Holeman May 8, 2013

 

Clockwise from top left: Rio de Janiero, Brazil; Bocas del Toro, Panama; Cali, Colombia; Machu Picchu, Peru; Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia; Winnipeg, Canada; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Flying Over Belize; middle photo, Flores, Guatemala. 
 
It was my birthday over the weekend; I haven’t written in over a week, because it’s been such a crazy one. There was so much laughter and friendship and family and eating and drinking and celebrating that it’s hard for me to even remember everything, to remember all the wonderful details of the past seven days.
And, in some ways, that’s how I feel about the entire past year of my life: I thought that the years before, spent mostly in Asia, were some of the best of my life, but this past year, spent mostly in Central and South America, was also incredible. Topped off with a month in London, a week in Rome, and now a visit to Israel, 28 was just as unbelievable as 27 and 26.
I saw a lot, Machu Picchu and the Galapagos, Tikal and the Panama Canal, the big cities of Rio, Buenos Aires, Santiago. I visited Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, America, England, and Italy. I had a horrible accident, one that I survived but am still recovering from. I spent time with my family, though it was never enough. I learned how to make chocolate and tamales, how to speak Spanish, how to be a rescue diver, so many things. I tried some of the best food in the world, drank some of the best wine in the world. I took thousands of photos. I had my heart broken a few times (or perhaps just slightly cracked), or maybe it was me who broke hearts, I’m not so sure. I solidified some of my best friendships, and I made new ones, ones that I’m sure will last a lifetime. I was accepted into my dream Master’s program in my dream city. I lived a good year.
I started this next year of my life in the place I love, a place I’ll be living for the next two years: London, though I’m now in Israel. I’ve spent the past 24 hours stuffing my face with hummus and haluomi, shopping on Shenkin, and catching up with my sister. If the past three days are going to be any indication of what 29 will bring, it’s going to be an amazing year.
Thank you, as always, for letting me share all of this with you, all of these self-indulgent musings and ramblings. I started this blog as a way to record all the personal things that happen in my travels, and it’s been a real treat to see that a few people have actually enjoyed following along. My year (and all these years) have been so great in part because of you and all of your support.
But now, there are palm trees swaying and falafel to be eaten, so I must dash. Toda raba, my friends.
To see what I wrote on my birthday last year in Belize, click here.
To see what I wrote on my birthday two years ago in Luang Prabang, click here.
*Follow me on Facebook and Twitter!*
 
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Brenna Holeman

Brenna Holeman has travelled to over 100 countries in the past 15 years, many of them solo. She's a big fan of whisky and window seats.

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22 comments

Katie @ Domestiphobia.net May 8, 2013 - 4:15 pm

Falafel is one of my FAVORITE foods. I make it at home, though I’m sure it’s not quite as good as it is there! Enjoy!

Reply
This Battered Suitcase May 8, 2013 - 9:24 pm

Thank you!

Reply
A Country Girls World May 8, 2013 - 4:22 pm

Happy Birthday!

Reply
This Battered Suitcase May 8, 2013 - 9:24 pm

Thanks!

Reply
tiarenie May 8, 2013 - 7:29 pm

it was also my birthday this weekend! happy birthday to us 😀

Reply
This Battered Suitcase May 8, 2013 - 9:24 pm

Yay! Happy Birthday!

Reply
Christine May 8, 2013 - 7:50 pm

Happy Birthday Brenna!!

Reply
This Battered Suitcase May 8, 2013 - 9:24 pm

Thanks, Christine!!

Reply
Danielle @ The-Lifestyle-Project May 8, 2013 - 11:51 pm

Yay happy birthday!! You’ve had such an inspiring and adventurous year, looking forward to reading along as you continue to rock 29 😀

Reply
This Battered Suitcase May 9, 2013 - 12:23 pm

Thank you so much, Danielle!

Reply
The Mane Captain May 9, 2013 - 4:29 am

Happy Birthday Breanna. You are a true inspiration to other women like myself. Although I have only been to a VERY tiny fraction of the total countries you’ve been to, I do hope to have travelled to more countries by the time i’m 29, which is only 4 years from now!
I wish you a greater accomplishment in your 29th year!

Reply
This Battered Suitcase May 9, 2013 - 12:23 pm

Thank you very much, I appreciate that!

Reply
Adina Marguerite May 9, 2013 - 6:08 am

Happy Birthday Brenna! I’m so looking forward to following your adventures living in London and what 29 has in store for you – I’ll be joining you in that year in just a touch over 6 months!

Reply
This Battered Suitcase May 9, 2013 - 12:23 pm

Thank you! I’m very excited for this next phase of life!

Reply
Christine Amorose May 9, 2013 - 2:17 pm

Happy happy birthday! Keep living the dream 🙂

Reply
This Battered Suitcase May 10, 2013 - 8:20 pm

Thank you Christine!

Reply
'Lara May 9, 2013 - 10:02 pm

Happy belated birthday…keep living the dream.

Reply
This Battered Suitcase May 10, 2013 - 8:20 pm

Thank you! I’ll try!!

Reply
Kahleel Hamilton May 10, 2013 - 4:34 am

I always enjoy reading your posts. I wish you all the best for this new phase of your life. Looking forward to reading about them.
http://www.jadeblyssjourney.blogspot.com

Reply
This Battered Suitcase May 10, 2013 - 8:21 pm

Thank you very much!

Reply
Rika May 11, 2013 - 2:07 am

Wow Brenna, what a year! Hope you had an amazing birthday and here’s to your next trip around the sun being as kickass as the last one.

Reply
This Battered Suitcase May 12, 2013 - 4:07 pm

Thank you so much, Rika! x

Reply

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About Me

About Me

Hi, I'm Brenna

My name is Brenna Holeman and I drink a lot of whisky. No, wait. That’s not how I want to start. After travelling to more than 100 countries over the past 15 years, many of them solo, I tend to write about travel a lot, but I write about other things, too: getting dumped, buying way too much jewellery, and yeah, OK, whisky (none of those things are related, I swear). You’ll find a mix of advice, opinion pieces, and stories on this blog, but either way, I hope to make you want to read more. And up next? I'm about to become a single mom to a beautiful baby boy, the biggest solo adventure I've ever been on. For more about me and what you'll find on This Battered Suitcase, click here .

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Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life." - Jack Kerouac

About Brenna

This Battered Suitcase is not only about the where and the how of travel, it's about the who and the why.

Originally from Canada, all I've ever wanted to do is travel. After eleven years of solo travel and over 90 countries, I'm currently living in London and fulfilling my other dream of becoming a writer. If I'm not travelling, I'm writing about it, either for my blog, my job, or my book. I firmly believe there is adventure everywhere, so long as you keep your eyes (and your mind, and your heart) open. Join me as I continue to look for these adventures. Hopefully you'll find your own, too.

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