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Travel

The First Of July

written by Brenna Holeman July 1, 2012

 

 

 

 

July 1st, 2011
The Perhentians, Malaysia
I travel a lot; I am rarely in my own country for longer than a few weeks. But yes, I am Canadian, and I am damn proud of it.
I grew up in one of the safest, cleanest, and friendliest countries in the world, a country that has never put pressure on me to do anything but what I love to do. As a young woman, I am free to make any choice I want, free to love whomever I want, free to learn whatever I want. I have been to 68 countries and, without a doubt, Canada is my very favourite one.
And so on this day, Canada Day, I will be thinking of how lucky I am to hail from such a beautiful and supportive nation (though I think that every day). You may call me jingoistic, sure, but I love Canada and I always will, no matter where I am, no matter who I’m with, and no matter how I’m celebrating this loveliest of days.
Happy Canada Day!
July 1st, 2012: Granada, Nicaragua
July 1st, 2011: The Perhentians, Malaysia
July 1st, 2010: Tokyo, Japan
July 1st, 2009: Osaka, Japan
July 1st, 2008: Edinburgh, Scotland
July 1st, 2007: Moscow, Russia
July 1st, 2006: Oslo, Norway
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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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4 comments

Curious Kinks July 1, 2012 - 4:43 pm

Happy Canada Day. Seems like you’ve been having an awesome Canada day celebration in the past few years. I wonder how Canadian expats in other countries celebrate Canada day. The Canadian International school in Beijing hold a hot pepper eating contest every year. I just go what? that’s not Canadian!

Reply
[Ali] To Be Continued... July 1, 2012 - 8:55 pm

I remember our lovely Canada day spent in the sunshine in Utsebo Park 🙂 I wonder where you will be next Canada day…? xx

Reply
This Battered Suitcase July 2, 2012 - 4:46 am

Curious Kinks – A hot pepper eating contest? That’s so bizarre!!

Ali – I believe that was Thanksgiving, but it was a wonderful day regardless! I also wonder where I’ll be next Canada Day; I promised my dad I would be in Canada for his birthday (June 24th) next year, so maybe I’ll actually be on home turf for the big day!!

Reply
[Ali] To Be Continued... July 3, 2012 - 4:42 am

You’re totally right – in fact just after I commented I thought to myself “hang on I didn’t even get to Japan until August!” haha! But yes, it was a lovely day! xx

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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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