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Tag:

Asia

    Travel

    The Colours of Rangoon and The Colours of Life

    by Brenna Holeman March 3, 2014
    written by Brenna Holeman
    March 3, 2014
    14 comments
    2 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
  • Dating and RelationshipsStories

    The Last Time I Saw You (Part Three)

    by Brenna Holeman February 13, 2014
    by Brenna Holeman February 13, 2014

    The last time I saw you, I was looking down from a balcony, Juliet to your Romeo.

    “Good night,” you called out.

    “Good night!” I called back, even though I knew it was really goodbye. You walked away through the palm trees, headed to the beach on which we’d met.

    That day had been my first day underwater as a scuba diver, and so, by the time the sun was getting low and heavy on the horizon, I was already buzzing with energy and laughter. Our dive group celebrated at the local bar, migrating to the sand as bonfires were lit, drinking cold beers and watching paper lanterns fill the sky. It was around one of those fires that I first saw you, the light flickering shades of red across your face.

    “Valentin,” you offered, extending your hand. It took me aback. Today, after all was the 14th of February. “My name,” you confirmed, “is Valentin.”

    1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
  • Travel

    This (Chinese) New Year

    by Brenna Holeman January 30, 2014
    by Brenna Holeman January 30, 2014

    Tomorrow is Chinese New Year. The New Year is more than just a celebration; it is the start of a new agricultural year, and a time for loved ones to meet. It is also a time to prepare for good luck, and to encourage luck to enter your home so that the next 12 months to come are healthy, happy, and prosperous.

    But how to prepare for luck?

    1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
  • Travel

    Around the World: Bugs (Part One)

    by Brenna Holeman January 9, 2014
    written by Brenna Holeman
    January 9, 2014
    18 comments
    1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
  • StoriesTravel

    The Long Way Round – Taking Yangon’s Circle Train

    by Brenna Holeman January 6, 2014
    by Brenna Holeman January 6, 2014

    On our third day in Yangon, my friend Kerri and I decided to join our new friends Uros and Jerome for a ride on the Circle Train. We had all heard that it was a great way to spend a few hours, a great way to see some of the sights of the city for ourselves. I couldn’t wait – to see a country through the window of a train is one of my favourite ways to sightsee. The train is so named because it literally circles the city of Yangon; the whole journey takes approximately three hours, and a train comes every hour.

    1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
  • StoriesTravel

    You Will Question Your Role As Traveller

    by Brenna Holeman December 9, 2013
    by Brenna Holeman December 9, 2013

    It was March in Varanasi, and I had arrived as part of a three-week tour around India. I hesitated signing up for it all those months ago, when I was still mapping the route I’d take through Southeast and South Asia, an eight-month adventure that I’d thought of for years. I had never taken a tour of any kind, and I envisioned a bus full of khaki-wearing, sunburnt tourists, the kind who refused to eat street food or use a public toilet. As a solo traveller, I finally decided it would be easier and safer to travel with a group, even if it meant our days were sometimes planned down to the hour.

    1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
  • StoriesTravel

    Searching For Authenticity in Sapa

    by Brenna Holeman November 6, 2013
    written by Brenna Holeman
    November 6, 2013
    16 comments
    0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
  • Stories

    The Bracelet From Varanasi

    by Brenna Holeman October 1, 2013
    by Brenna Holeman October 1, 2013

    This place was sacred. Bodies burned day and night on the ghats, the steps leading to the Ganges; it was not uncommon to find bits of ash in your hair or on your skin. I balked at the chance to drink tea with the holy men after I learned that the Ganges was the source of the water, even though, as my guide told me, “It will make you closer to India.” I watched each morning as men and women bathed in the river, washed their faces in the river, drank from the river. Hindus and Jains came here to die, the Ganges serving as the divine cosmic road to salvation. Tourist boats rode up and down the water, the people on them snapping photos of cremations.

    1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
  • Travel

    Around the World: Volkswagens

    by Brenna Holeman July 14, 2013
    by Brenna Holeman July 14, 2013

    One of the things I really love about these semi-regular Around the World posts is that, while I’m travelling, I’m not consciously thinking, “I must take photos of Volkswagens.” I just end up taking pictures of things that I like, and lo and behold, I end up with a lot of the same shots, like puppies or seafood or random drunk backpackers (yes, those are three of my favourite things). These posts have helped me discover themes in my photography, and it has been very fun to search for the accompanying photos.

    In this case, it’s Volkswagen vehicles. I’ve never owned a Volkswagen, but I love that I’ve seen them all over the world, in all different colours.

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  • StoriesTravel

    Navigating Home: A Story From Japan

    by Brenna Holeman June 1, 2013
    written by Brenna Holeman
    June 1, 2013
    33 comments
    1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
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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 16 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 now 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.

For more, click here.

WHERE AM I?

Last stops: Manitoba, Canada

Currently: Manitoba, Canada

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

Archives

Want local knowledge about Manitoba?

AFFILIATE POLICY

Please note that some links on This Battered Suitcase are affiliates (at no extra cost to you); I only recommend products I use and love. This Battered Suitcase is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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

Currently in

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA

Last Stops: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Up Next:  Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

(AKA: STAY HOME)

Disclosures

This Battered Suitcase is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and links to Amazon.com. For the full disclosure/privacy policy, please click here.

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This Battered Suitcase
  • Home
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
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  • Start Here
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Botswana
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      • Tanzania
      • Uganda
      • Zambia
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      • Bhutan
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      • Laos
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      • Latvia
      • Liechtenstein
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      • Monaco
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    • North America
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