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Travel

Roman Red

written by Brenna Holeman April 30, 2013

Roman Red 1 Roman Red 2 Roman Red 3 Roman Red 4 Roman Red 5

Rome, Italy

I had been to Italy before, but never to Rome. And what I thought the city would be, it was – beautiful and ancient, full of history and religion, brimming with delicious food and cobblestoned streets to wander. Men leaned too close into my ears, telling me the stories of the city as they chain-smoked. Tourists swarmed, their numbers swelling into the hundreds of thousands at the famous monuments each day. The sun shone and the rain came, spring making way for summer.

It was a good week, but a busy one. I walked for hours every day, stopping only for photo opportunities or for another cup of espresso. I deliberately saw more sites than I’m used to; I had grown accustomed to the lazy days of South America, the days when I knew I still had months and months to explore. And, although seeing these famous places was, as always, enlightening – the Trevi Fountain, the Sistene Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona – it was in the quiet moments that I appreciated Rome the most. It was in the purchase of a painting by a local artist on the banks of the Tiber river, or in the glasses of wine on a small street in Trastevere. It was in the gelato shared at midnight with a man I’ll never see again. It was in the few times when I would turn a corner, escaping the throngs of tourists, and, for just a brief moment, I’d have the whole of Rome to myself.

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ColoursEuropeItaly
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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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11 comments

Christine May 1, 2013 - 2:14 pm

You are an amazing writer! I feel like I’m in Rome with you when you describe your experiences 🙂

Reply
This Battered Suitcase May 2, 2013 - 12:31 am

Thank you, Christine!

Reply
Ali Henry May 1, 2013 - 7:50 pm

I agree with Christine, beautifully written darling, I can almost imagine myself there. I’m glad you had a good time, your photos are beautiful as always. I CANNOT WAIT to see you tomorrow and hear more about Rome… xxx

Reply
This Battered Suitcase May 2, 2013 - 12:32 am

Counting down the hours! I doubt one afternoon will even begin to scratch the surface of the past two years…xx

Reply
Silly Medley May 2, 2013 - 6:45 pm

You write so well!! I can’t wait to go to Rome, it’s on my must see list.

Reply
This Battered Suitcase May 8, 2013 - 3:29 pm

Thank you! I’m sure you’ll love it.

Reply
kay May 4, 2013 - 1:58 am

You have a way of putting just the right words together.I have never been to Rome but reading this makes me that maybe I have. Thanks!♥

Reply
This Battered Suitcase May 8, 2013 - 3:29 pm

Aw, thank you! xx

Reply
A Country Girls World May 5, 2013 - 3:57 am

I have been looking through your blog for the last few weeks now and what an inspiring life you lead! I am working to be able to travel the way that you do and am excited to read about your adventures! P.S. Loved Rome!

Reply
This Battered Suitcase May 8, 2013 - 3:29 pm

Wow, thank you so much! I really appreciate that.

Reply
Portuguese Reds - This Battered Suitcase January 23, 2014 - 5:26 pm

[…] Roman Red (Italy) […]

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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INSPIRATION

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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Last stops: Manitoba, Canada

Currently: Manitoba, Canada

Up Next: Manitoba, Canada (are you sensing a theme?)

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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

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