This post will be short but sweet (I hope). I have been recently overwhelmed by what an amazing group of readers I have on this blog and on my social media channels; every day it seems I get a comment or an email that almost reduces me to tears, it’s so kind and personal and loving.
When I created a blog all the way back in 2003, I would have never expected that, 11 years later, it would be my main passion. I would have never expected that it would lead to my Master’s degree, my writing job, nearly all of my friends, my flat in London, and my life in London. What means the most to me, however, are all of the connections I’ve made with people directly or indirectly through this blog.
Some of you are brand new to This Battered Suitcase, and some of you have followed it for years, maybe even since Livejournal (hi, Naomi). This is just a thank you for being such a supportive, creative, incredible group of people. As a small thank you, I have a copy of Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air to give away; fitting, perhaps, because of my last post. I haven’t read it yet, only Into the Wild, but I’ve heard it is absolutely amazing. I will also throw in some treats from London (I hope you like tea and chocolate). I have some other exciting giveaways coming up in the future, but, on this slightly cloudy day in London, I felt I wanted to do something right now.
All you need to do to enter is comment here – please introduce yourself if you can, and perhaps how you found this blog. If you’ve never commented before, please use this as a place to start! You don’t need to have your own blog to comment, just an email address. I am going to be doing a proper survey soon, but I thought it might be nice to get to know each other a little bit better this way first. Please comment by Saturday, March 15th.Â
Thanks again for your support, for all your comments, emails, tweets, messages, likes, pluses, shares, you name it. It’s because of you that I live the life I’ve always dreamed.
136 comments
First of all, Brenna, your blog is just amazing !
I have only discovered it in October 2013 but I have read so many articles of all your adventures, what made me read your blog at first was your two years experience in Osaka, Japan.
Because I’m very interested in this country and traveled their 3 times now and still want to go, but your stories, written so well, give me a new perspective about so many countries.
Thank you and keep doing what you do best Brenna ^^
Thank you so much, Mourad! I’m so glad that you’ve been following along since October. I really appreciate all of your comments here and on Facebook!
Brenna,
I found your blog five months ago through a friend who loved it. She introduced me and I literally spent days on end reading through all of your posts… I love what you write about. I feel that you write ‘real’ things, things that any average person can relate to. You’re also really funny and your posts make me laugh, some even make me cry (happy tears, I promise). In a weird, non-creepy way, I feel like I know you. You’re a huge inspiration in my life now as you’re a fellow Canadian, you’re a few years older than me, and you’ve done everything I want to do. Your blog inspired me to start my own travel blog as I just came home after spending a year abroad and I can’t wait to get back out there. I love seeing that people all over the world have checked into my website and that I can write literally anything I want to. I want to thank you for being ‘real’ and inspiring me every day with your stories and advice. Cheers to living the life you want and traveling the world.
Sincerely,
Amie Powell
Hi Amie, thank you so much for this comment. It brought tears to my eyes, truly; it is such an honour to have had an influence on your life. Occasionally I feel very overwhelmed, and wonder why I work so hard on this blog and writing all the stories, but a comment like this one really rejuvenates me and makes me motivated to write even more. I can’t tell you how much your words mean to me.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Hey – I’m Katie and I’m travelling for about a year (2 months left to go!).
I heard about your blog through a friend I met in Cambodia who posted a link on Facebook – love it!
Thanks, Katie! I hope you have a fantastic last couple of months on the road…
I just recently found this blog – in fact, this is the first post I’ve read! I found you through Twitter. 🙂 And tea and chocolate from London? Sign me up! 😉
I love finding new travel blogs to read and I develop and expand my own. It’s always so nice to find new friends and read about other people’s adventures.
Great, thanks for the comment, Lisa! I hope you’ll keep reading.
Hi Brenna, I love your blog! I’m originally from St. Lucia but live in Indiana right now. I love to travel, but I’m sure most people who come here also love to travel. I was traveling through Argentina last May and wanted to get a Brazilian visa, and came upon your post about getting a Brazilian visa in Iguazú Falls. Herein began my connection to your blog 🙂
Oh – I’m so glad that you kept reading after that post! I think a lot of people search for Brazilian visas, read the post, and never bother to look at the blog after that. I’m really happy you stuck around. Thanks for all of your comments here and on Facebook, it really means a lot to have your support!
I stumbled upon your blog after googling what women should wear while traveling in India. I was on Koh Tao, Thailand and was soon heading to Sri Lanka where we would spend 6 weeks before heading north for 3 months in India. I fell in love after seeing your style from all around the world, reassuring me that covering up in India need not mean forgoing all sense of fashion. I stayed up all night using the sketchy wifi connection to read through your archives of colour, love, adventure and heartbreak. I was unaware at the time that one of your heartbreaks would soon mirror one of my own. I am now in Pokhara, Nepal. My boyfriend left to do that famous old ABC trek on Sunday morning. I had been violently ill the day before and decided not to go. The next morning, yesterday, I awoke to the message that my Grandfather had passed away through the night. He had been ill, the cancer had spread to too many parts of his body, most recently his spine. I knew it was coming, just not so soon, not while I was alone. I have desperately been seeking some real “alone time” since we started this trip 9 months ago, but this is not how I expected to spend it. Sick, sad and lonely in a guesthouse so far from home. Your story about your Mt Everest flight has inspired me to do the same. There’s just something symbolic about being at the highest point on earth to say goodbye.
Oh wow – Melissa, this comment made me cry. I am so incredibly sorry to hear about your loss, but I also take comfort in that we can share this bond and have shared this experience. Thank you so much for posting this comment – I am going to be in touch shortly. xo
Thank you so much for your kind words Brenna. I’m sorry my first time posting on your blog was such a downer, but I just felt such a strong connection to your previous posts about your experience with loss while in Nepal. I’ve just read your latest posts, and wow, you have painted such beautiful pictures of your time in both Gdansk and San Agustin, not to mention your actual pictures which are stunning. I know you hear it a lot but your blog is truly inspiring. It is one of the few travel blogs which are relatable and informative while still telling wonderful stories. I look forward to reading about more adventures through the eyes of someone who finds beauty in all that surrounds them xx
Thank you again, Melissa. I am emailing you right now!
I am a very new reader! I found your blog through HostelWorld, who linked your 10 truths of travel post on Facebook. I have been reading almost every day since! As a fellow traveler myself, your journies have absolutely inspired me.
Thank you so much, Valerie, I hope you’ll keep reading!
Hi Brenna!
I’m Valentina, an Italian who is currently leaving in Northern Ireland after some world wandering (which included living in Canada 🙂 ). I can totally relate to whatever you say in the blog, and your pictures are amazing!
I found your blog thanks to a friend who posted a link to one of your posts on her FB page. Been reading all posts since then, to catch up!
keep them going, all the best from unexpectedly sunny Belfast 🙂
Thank you so much, Valentina! It sounds like you’ve done some very interesting travels yourself, and I’m glad that you got to experience my home country. I haven’t been to Northern Ireland in years but I’d really like to go back!
All the best from sunny London 🙂
Hey, hey. I am a wilderness junkie with a blog to prove it. Basically, I discovered this site because I obsessively read travel blogs and I stumbled across yours.
Cool, thanks for the comment, Megan! Keep adventuring…
Hello there, I absolutely LOVE your blog!! I’m Brazilian by birth but live in the US for the past 15 years.. 🙂 … I always loved to travel, but after my best friend passed away in a car accident in China, I lost all the joy and gave up my dream to travel the world. Last year I came across your blog and you brought that joy back to me. Reading your adventures and feeling your passion for traveling inspired me so much that this last December I took off to the Philippines for a month and then to Brazil for another month… Thank you so much for sharing all those great adventures… Many blessings to you… 🙂
Hi Patty, thank you so much for your comment. I am so sorry to hear about your friend, but I really hope that you find the joy of travelling even more. How amazing that you went to the Philippines and Brazil… keep travelling!
Many blessings to you, too, and thanks again for your wonderful words here.
Hi Brenna! I am Maria and I just recently found you through some myriad of links from other blogs; the actual breadtrail I’m afraid I don’t remember! I love traveling and we go all over the place (USA) during breaks from school. In college I went to Europe several times but haven’t been back since 2009 (funny enough, every time I went to England I brought back a lot of tea and chocolates!). Right now we live in Indiana for my other half to get his PhD. I love your writing style and the stories you tell.
Thanks for your comment, Maria! I was away from Europe for a long time, too – it’s so nice to be back. I would love to travel even more through the USA, too… this summer I’m headed to San Francisco, so I can’t wait! Thanks again…
Wow, a giveaway! I’ve read both books — both incredible. I don’t own Into Thin Air, though, and would love to read it again. I came here via Glendfiddich Explorers. (It’s so weird, which is why I remember.) We bought a bottle of whisky, they had some ad for their explorers page, I love travel writing, so off I went. I clicked some random bubble on the page, which happened to take me to your site, and I pretty much never left! (Um. Except for that one time when I thought you stopped blogging. Oops.)
Wow – I didn’t know that you found the blog through Glenfiddich! Ah ha, so that writing I did for them paid off after all, ha ha. So glad that you found me again… I have no plans of stopping blogging anytime soon.
Brenna, it’s so amazing that all of these people remember exactly how they came to your blog! It shows that you definitely touch and inspire people as you did me 🙂
I never had the pleasure of stumbling upon your blog randomly, but I did have the enjoyment of discovering the great stories you tell. Keep on writing!
I know – it is seriously blowing my mind! These comments are amazing. I’m so happy that we found each other, even if it wasn’t through the internet (how very antiquated of us).
Hi Brenna 🙂 I came across you blog when I was looking for inspiration of places yo travel through on my own adventures. Your blog inspired me to keep a diary while I was away, to have a lasting memory of a great summer xxx
Oh, that’s awesome. I think that diaries/blogs/journals are such a fantastic way to keep track of things… I wish I had done even more of it in the past few years! Thanks for the comment, Callie.
I don’t remember how exactly I found you, through twitter I think. As I believe you also hail from Winnipeg, I feel like that helps me to understand the perspective you have on things. I also love to travel (in Vietnam as I write this) and London is one of my favourite places. Potential fun tip – at the Can/Aus/NZ shop in Covent Garden you used to be able to pick up those delicious soft maple sugar candies for less than at home (it was probably a computer glitch but it was still like that last time I went in!)
Hi Kali! I’m always so happy to see a fellow Winnipegger here. I have a lot of pride for my prairie hometown. And great tip about the candies, I will have to check that out! Thanks for your comment…
Hi, I’m Katie — currently living abroad in France (originally from the US) finishing up 7 months of work as a teaching assistant in April. I don’t even remember how I found your blog (it hasn’t been that long even! man, my memory is horrible!) I’m 99% certain someone linked you on Facebook (whether it was a friend or a travel company that I follow, I don’t know). I think the first post I read of yours was the one about traveling solo, which resonated heavily with me since I just can’t seem to organize travel with other people. My parents are constantly worried (“What do you mean you want to go to Morocco??” *hushed whisper* “Is that /safe/???”), but I actually much prefer traveling by myself. In any case, I immediately liked your style — both your travel style, your fashion sense, and your writing & storytelling. Then I was hooked. I love seeing you update (even though it does make me super jealous sometimes, haha).
Hi Katie, I’m really glad that you found me here! Thanks a lot for reading, and for your kind words. I agree – sometimes travelling solo can be the best, and I often choose it over travelling with someone else. I hope that you’ll keep reading along!
Hey Brenna
i found you because you gave me your card as you know. I would prefer we talked more before i got to know your adventures throughout the world. But it wasn´t like that, during my night shift that day i found so many cool stuff about you that i almoust forgot the things that i had to do in the hostel.
we only had some small chats cause i was working and had allways stuff to do, but reading you stories and adventures makes me feel like i know you really well. The way you write makes the person who is reading almoust part of your life, it feels like you travel and do things because you really want to share all the variaty of things that the world has to offer. it can be new cultures, new food, amazing places with landscapes that other people only see in pictures, new people, party, experiences, etc.
And it´s really nice to know that you dou it with such beauty and purity! =)
keep doing the thing that you love, and enjoy it as much as you can! =)
cheers to you =)
Hi Luis! Thank you so much for commenting here and for all of your nice words. It was so fun to meet you in Porto and I definitely want to go back again – it is one of my favourite cities now. That’s great that you still read my blog and I’m glad that it comes across as personal/relatable… that’s what I aim for!
Hope you’re doing really well in Portugal… keep in touch.
hello brenna! i found your blog probably over six months ago linked from another travel blog (but i can’t remember which) unfortunately. i got into reading travel blogs as support for my life style: bought a one-way ticket to europe in 2012, now teaching and haven’t looked back since.
i think you’re an excellent writer and i love reading it all. especially your non-fiction travel stories! although i only did it for one summer, traveling solo as a female has made me so much more independent, flexible, and spontaneous than i would’ve been otherwise.
Thanks for your comment, Cynthia! I’m really glad that you’ve started reading here, I hope you’ll comment more! It’s always so great to find other solo travellers, and to relate. I wish you all the best – happy travels!
Hi Brenna!
I found your blog a few months ago through another of my favourite travel blogs, and every moment reading your posts has been interesting and exciting. I’m currently in my last year of secondary school in Ireland, but all I want to do is travel. Through your blog I am able to do that, and when I read your entries, I just want to pack my bag and go. I love the variations in your posts – you think off every aspect of a travellers life. Because of your blog, I have so many new places on my Bucket list, as well as understanding the life of a traveller better.
Good luck with your Masters and keep posting!
Sarah 🙂
Thank you so much, Sarah! I’m so happy that this blog has given you some inspiration. That’s great that you want to travel, and I hope that you get to do so very soon! Good luck in your final year of school, and perhaps we’ll cross paths on the road one day.
Hello Brenna !
I left a comment yesterday, so why not today ? This isn’t a bad habit to take 😀
Should I introduce myself ? I already said i’m a 17-yo-french-girl, and i discovered your blog when surfing on the net a few months ago. I find it inspiring and inspired, sincere, intelligent and sweet. (not just “and sweet” but if i write all the adjectives I want this comment would be waaay too long, that would be unfair for this comment who didn’t ask anything, and i don’t want to seem crazy : I don’t consider you as God, just as a Model ahah)
What else ? I’m very glad that you’re so happy in your life. You seem to be such a great person and to deserve it ! I’m sure your life will remain as wonderful as it is, and even more, full of love, travels, friendships, studies, laughs, discoveries, and more… but only you know what.
I don’t want to take you much time, so again; thank you, thank you and… 🙂 (because this weird smiley wanted to be part of this)
Have a good evening, enjoy London !
Mélissa
(Did I say thank you ?)
Hi Melissa – thank YOU for making me smile! What an amazing comment. I am so happy that you have started reading the blog and I hope to have even more comments from you here… they are always so full of joy. You are really too kind.
Thanks again, and I hope you are having a wonderful day in Paris! All the best…
Brenna, your blog has always been one of my absolute favorites since the moment I stumbled upon it. Which I think had to have been around the time I started my current blog – maybe 2009 or so?
Your writing, photos, and videos have inspired me to pursue my own content creation path and I’m so looking forward to the day when I can focus on those things without the drain of an unrelated day job.
I hope someday we end up in the same place at the same time so we can say hi in real life!
I was on Livejournal until 2010, so you probably found the blog around then! Thank you so much for being such a great supporter and for always sharing my stories. I really appreciate it. And yes, I hope that we can finally meet one day, too! That would be fabulous. Thanks again, Adina!
Would LOVE a copy of the book – and any bonus tea+chocolate. absolutely.
You can’t lose with tea or chocolate!
Hi Brenna,
I am a friend of Cory and Marie Gregorashuk. So enjoy your blog. I am not a traveller myself but live vicariously through your adventures. You are truly enjoying life; as it should be. Continued journey. Best wishes from Winnipeg !!!
Hi Tanna, thank you so much for commenting! I love when other Winnipeggers read/comment, it makes me feel closer to home. All the best!
Hey Brenna,
I’m Liane, a 25 year old from Toronto, Canada, and I’ve been reading your blog for over a year now.
I randomly stumbled across This Battered Suitcase from a Google search about something travel related I searched for, though I can’t remember what anymore.
As soon as I’d read that first article, I was hooked. I remember spending several hours on your blog that first time reading as many posts as I could. Your humour, good advice, intriguing stories, sense of adventure and riveting writing and story-telling had me addicted right from the start.
Over the past year I’ve read your blog weekly, and it has quickly become one of my favourite travel blogs ever. I always look forward to hearing your stories.
You have inspired me too, Brenna. Six months ago I started my own travel blog, and it has been a great sense of joy and purpose in my life.
Your blog continues to inspire me and always brightens my day, and I can’t thank you enough for that.
Liane xx
Thank you so much, Liane, I am always so grateful for your comments and support. I am SO pleased that you started a travel blog, too, it’s a great way to practice writing, share photos, and just meet other travellers! It is quite an honour that this blog had some influence on you, I really appreciate you telling me that. Thanks again for your continued support and all your kind words!
Hi Brenna! This is so sweet of you to do 🙂 and hello to everyone else as well, my name is Emma and im from Chicago. I actually found your blog through Naomi when I was browsing on her blog and saw a comment that you posted on one of her posts (this was about 5 months ago) and the name ‘This Battered Suitcase’ really caught my eye, and that’s how I ended up here. I have read and re-read your stories, which always leave me inspired, curious, and craving adventure. I think I speak for many of us when I say that you have become a role model for us newbies that are just dipping our feet into the traveling world, such as myself, and have developed a supporting and loving community within your blog and social media channels. I think that mostly stems from how genuine you are, and your personality shines through your stories, touching people all over the globe 🙂 I’m so happy I found your (and Naomi’s!) blog, because it’s exactly the kind of motivation and inspiration I need to begin my own adventures. I think it’s so neat that there are people all over who have been bitten by the travel bug and are engaging in this travel/blogging community, and that we are all able to share your adventures with you. I hope this message finds you on a good day, happy and healthy, with a warm cup of tea in your hand. Much love from Chicago <3
~Emma
Wow, thank you for that great comment, Emma! It is so wonderful that you have taken inspiration from the travel blogging community, I definitely do, too. It is so nice to meet other people who love travelling and all that it stands for. And how cool that you found me through Naomi – I love her blog (and her!).
Thanks again, I do indeed have a cup of tea beside me today – I hope you’re having a great day in Chicago. All the best!
Hi Brenna,
I’ve been reading your blog since your livejournal days. Although, we haven’t met in person, I feel like I know you because of your writing. I love reading your posts and get inspirations on where to travel to next.
I also love your photos that accompanies your writing.
I wish I can write as well as you and travel as much. Sadly, I have a full time job but I try to go as many places as I can with my limited vacation time, sigh.
Thank you for continuing to share your stories with us.
And thanks for the postcards! I have two 🙂
Christine
Thank you so much Christine – I have always appreciated your comments here. You’ve been such a huge supporter of this blog over the years and I really can’t thank you enough. I am glad that you like the stories! I really hope our paths cross one day…
I randomly stumbled upon your blog from watching YouTube videos from Kerri.. You two were both living the life I have always dreamed of.. I was so excited to follow you on your adventure to South America for the year you traveled there. I was so inspired by your stories and your bravery to get up and live a dream, that I too planned out my trip to one day backpack South America.. I ended up getting pregnat and now have a 2 month old baby … I guess you could say I live vicariously through your stories now.. One day I’ll make my dream a reality but thank you for sharing yours. Much love from california
Hi Athena, thank you so much for your comment. That’s awesome that you found the blog through Kerri’s YouTube!
Sometimes life leads us down paths we couldn’t foresee, but I’m sure your life is just as happy and full. I’m also sure you’ll get to travel in the future… and take your child with you to show him/her the world!
Brenna! Your blog is one of the first I ever read, and continues to be a favorite. I was planning an adventure to Vietnam (from sunny Arizona) a few years ago and stumbled across your stuff, and the rest is history. A few more countries in, I always turn here for tips and even more for really, really good writing. Keep up the good work!
Aw, thank you so much, Lauren! I’m glad that I helped out in some way. I wish I was in sunny Arizona right now… my dad has a place near Phoenix, so hopefully I’ll get there later on this year…
Hi Brenna,
My name is Isabel and I’m 16 – from Australia! I found your blog through links on other travel blogs and I absolutely love it! Your adventures have inspired me to start saving so that I too, can one day go on trips like you.
Thank you!
-Isabel
Hi Isabel, that’s amazing! I had huge dreams when I was 16, too, and I was able to accomplish them all. I’m sure you’ll be able to, too. Happy travels!
Hi, my name is Kali (American) and I’ve been following (and loving!) your blog since this past summer. Have yet to read Into Thin Air or Into the Wild but would love to read both.
Greetings from Ecuador, keep the warm drinks up, clear skies and warm weather are near!
-Kali
Hey Kali, thanks for your comment from Ecuador! I would love to spend more time there. Thank you so much for following along since last summer, that’s fantastic…
Hi Breanna,
I found your blog in the fall of 2010. I was feeling restless and stuck after moving back to my hometown for graduate school and wanting to travel again. I started searching out travel blogs and came upon your blog and Oneika’s blog. You inspired me to apply to a fellowship abroad and I spent the year of 2012 teaching English in Malaysia and traveling throughout SE Asia. Your blog was so helpful for figuring out places to explore and it even helped me deal with feeling homesick. That year was truly the most growth filled experience of my twenties.
I’ve really enjoyed your writing, whether it was about traveling, being home in Canada, or your ruminations on life. You’re such an authentic voice out in this increasingly populated blog world and I know you’ve made such an impact on me and female travelers everywhere for your braveness and adventurous spirit. I hope London is treating you well!
-Marquita
Oh wow – what a cool story! That’s so great that you were able to spend some time in Asia; I agree that my years on the road definitely shaped who I am today, and were the defining years of my life so far.
Thank you so much for your kind words; as I’ve said elsewhere, sometimes I question why I blog at all, but a comment like that rejuvenates me and inspires me. London is indeed treating me well, I hope that home is treating you well, too!
Brenna,
I found your blog via Expat Kerri. I’ve been reading since, always anxiously awaiting your next adventure. I’ve always felt so connected to your stories. When you are truly addicted to travel, it’s hard to find someone who can understand the need to constantly keep going. When I read your blog, I feel like I’m not alone.
What I love most about your blog is that its purpose isn’t to sell a location or product. You give us inspiration, that’s it. Keep up the great work! Hope to purchase a book of yours in the future!
P.S. I bought one of your Mom’s books last week (The Linnet Bird), I figured great writing runs in the family. 🙂
Thank you so much, Alyssa… and thank you for understanding what I try to do here on the blog! I really just want to inspire people to travel or to try something new. I’m glad that I’m not alone, either.
And that is SO COOL that you bought one of my mum’s books, I will have to tell her! The Linnet Bird is perhaps my favourite of all of them, so I hope that you enjoy it.
Hi Brenna,
I’ve been a dedicated (Canadian) follower since discovering your blog (initially the El Peñol post) almost a year ago, right after I decided to quit my life-sucking job and backpack much of South America… You gave me a personal reco of where to study Spanish in Sucre (and I took it)… And your wonderful stories informed so much of my travel since. I commented after I finally visited El Peñol at the end of my trip that you were on my mind all those hundreds of feet up at the top of the rock. Thank you a million for sharing your rich, vivid and highly personal life stories with the world… I will read *anything* you write as long as you keep publishing.
¡Muchas gracias! 🙂
Wow, that’s so awesome – isn’t that view amazing? Thank you so much for all of your comments and for sharing that story here. I’m so glad that I could inspire/help in some small way!
And thank you for your very kind words regarding my writing… I might just have to quote you when I start meeting with agents. You’re the best!
Brenna,
Thank you for sharing all the ups and downs of travel. I am a single almost 30 female from the frozen north of the USA’s midwest. Travel is some thing I really enjoy, but now I am finally able to indulge myself. The stories and tips you post have really helped narrow down such a vast amounts of possible itineraries and helped narrow down the packing list. In a less than 10 days I head to the BVI on my first solo trip of 2014. Remote backpacking Glacier National Park is next!
Thank you so much for your comment! I hope you have an amazing time – your adventures sound spectacular. Happy travels!
Hi Brenna!
I have been following your blog for about one year, maybe more. I originally found you through Oneika the Traveler–and I’m so glad I did! I have found, and followed, and consequently dropped many, many travel bloggers over the last few years. The truth is, I often get bored with their content. Sometimes it’s not interesting, sometimes I find that I am a different type of traveler than they are. But I have always found your blog to be amazing. I love your photos! I adore your stories! I don’t want to just read about where someone went, I want to know their experiences and thoughts. I want to feel something when I read stories-and you always do that for me! I hope I can read books of yours in the future, because I already know I would be a big fan. You are sincere and honest, and every bit of it shows through in the intimacy of your writing!
Thank you for being you, and for being an inspiration to me!
Keep it coming!
Mollie McGrath 🙂
Wow, thank you for that incredibly inspiring comment. I will definitely reread that when I am fretting over all the pages of my book and whether or not all of this time is worth it! Thank you so much for reading and for supporting me, it really means so much. Hopefully our paths cross one day!
Hi Brenna, I’m Julia and I’m a freshman in high school. My friend showed me your blog a few years ago but I didn’t get too invested in it at the time. I loved the idea of being able to travel and write, but I also didn’t understand how that was feasible. It wasn’t until this year that your blog happened to pop up on my Facebook again and I started glancing over some of the posts. I ended up subscribing to the blog and I look forward to every time I get the email. I came into high school from a private middle school and I didn’t know anyone on my first day. The environment is very discouraging at times, but to be honest reading your posts helps remind me that there are still people who get to follow their dreams. I don’t know what I want to do at this point, but I know I would love to travel. I guess I want to say that I know you love what you do: blogging on here and traveling and going to school in London and etc., but it is inspirational to me. Please keep writing.
Julia
Thank you so much for that honest comment, Julia. Trust me – high school is hard. I really didn’t enjoy it a lot of the time, but I found solace through writing, reading, and dreaming. I started to plan for my travels around your age, and now… many years later… here I am! It takes time and dedication, but it IS possible and I firmly believe that if you set your mind to it, you can achieve a lot.
Thanks so much for reading, and I hope that you continue to find inspiration here! All the best, and keep dreaming!
Hello! So 7 months ago I quit my job to go out into the world and do things that make me happy. One week ago i just started the international portion of my year off (currently leaving Cartagena and heading to Bogota!). Anyway, I stumbled up on your blog sort of randomly but found your stories so mesmerizing and helpful that I spent an hour going through your old post 🙂 Each entry I read left me a little more inspired for this trip and a little more hopeful of a great experience. Thank you!
That’s so great, Katrina, thank you for telling me! I’m really happy that you are out adventuring and seeing this beautiful world. I hope you’ll keep reading.
Hi Brenna…..if I remember correctly, I started reading your posts after seeing a FB note from your sister. I L.O.V.E. reading your stories and look forward to each and every one of them. You have experienced so much, have had some amazing adventures and you enable us to see them so clearly through your writing. Carry on…….I look forward to your next chapter. Hugs,
Thank you so much, Marie – your support means so much to me here and on Facebook! It makes me feel closer to Winnipeg, to home, and even to my sister.
Hi Brenna!
I actually just stumbled across your blog a few months ago as I have been going crazy reading travel blogs in the last while. In May I am taking off for my first Europe trip for four months and I COULD NOT be more excited!!!!!! Thank you for all of your stories and advice, they were both frank and inspiring. I think I really need to force myself to remember that when I’m hungover on a nine hour train ride with, let’s face it because it’s going to be happening…CRAMPS… that I need to take a minute to remember where I am and how lucky I am! Good luck with all your travels and every little part in between. You are doing the most wonderful job!
-Jenn Monaghan
Ha ha – that’s exactly it, Jenn… even in the difficult times I try to remind myself that it was my choice to travel. Thanks a lot for reading the blog, and have an amazing time in Europe! I’m confident you will have an incredible journey…
Hi Brenna!
I found your blog recently, like as of last week, when a friend of mine shared you “10 Unavoidable Truths of Travel” with me on Facebook. I bookmarked the article for reference and then bookmarked your blog for inspiration…it’s literally bookmarked in a folder named “inspiration.” I’ve always had a serious case of wanderlust but last year I decided to make travel a priority. I even wrote a letter to myself on new years saying that if I wasn’t abroad somewhere I better at least have plans, or past me would be very disappointed in future me. As it turns out when 2014 rolled around I opened that letter and was proud to say I was only a few days from flying to Morocco to study Arabic for 4 months. However that wasn’t enough so when my stay in Morocco is over I’ll be backpacking through Europe for another 2 months. Unfortunately I won’t be going anywhere near London so I would really appreciate some of that English tea. Keep up the good work! You’re such a inspiration to me and other women with wanderlust!
-Cydney
P.S. In Europe I’ll be working on a thesis project about the benefits of traveling alone as a woman. I was wondering if you would be willing to do an interview (over email or skype) for the project? I’m looking for some well traveled/successful women to use as examples and after reading your blog you seem to fit that description. I hope to hear from you!
Hi Cydney, always nice to have new readers! I’m glad that this blog can be some kind of inspiration to you – although it sounds like you are already well on your way to fulfilling your dreams. Your time in Morocco/Europe sounds fantastic!
And yes, I am able to do the interview. Email me and we’ll chat about it!
Hi Brenna! My name is Maria and I am from Spain. Two years ago I began searching on Google where the quote ‘Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life’ came from. After I found it was from Jack Kerouac’s book, I decided to search the meaning of ‘battered suitcase’ because I didn’t know what ‘battered’ meant. That’s how I found your blog! At the time you were traveling with your friend Kerri in South America (and due to the references you made to her in your entries I began following her blog too). From then on, your blogs have given me a lot of joy. I have discovered that more things are possible than I used to think.
I have always dreamed of seeing the world, and eventhough I don’t think I’ll ever live a nomad life (I will just do part-time traveling) I would really like to settle down somewhere different than where I live right now, because I love the unknown. Your blog keeps my dream alive!
Thank you!
Maria x
Ahhhh what a cool story! I love that that is how you discovered my blog. I am so happy that this blog can in some way inspire you or help you realise a dream. That is exactly what I aim to do. I don’t know if I will ever be that nomadic again – I am really happy here in London – but I hope that you find out what you want to do/where you want to go and make it happen!
Hi, I’m Austen and I am from South Africa. I discovered your blog while I was doing research for my own travels (which start in 14 days!!!!!!!!!!!) and since then I have added your blog to my feeder as well as on FB. Your travel blog is one of the many that has inspired me to keep on with my travel dream when my feet get cold…
That’s so great, Austen – I’m sure you’re going to have an amazing time! I hope to see more comments from you on the blog as you travel…
Hi,
I love your blog, especially the story telling posts (but then I am a bit of a bookworm!) I’ve also read into the wild after watching the film, both had me in tears!
I found your blog while researching traveling around Central America, It has been really inspiring and informative, and I have just begun my own solo travels through Central America, It’s only my 3rd full day of travels! I’m in Mexico at the moment, but I’ll be heading down to Belize soon. your blog has given me confidence that it’s ok for a solo female to travel here, and I’m really looking forward to the adventure! I really must get better at Spanish though!
All the best, I’ll keep reading!
Gemma
Thank you so much, Gemma! I’m sure you will have an incredible journey through Central America… I certainly did. I met many solo female travellers there, too. Best of luck and keep me posted on the trip! I hope you’ll keep reading even from the road…
Hi! I’m Olia from Montréal.
I came across this lovely blog of yours a few years ago and had it bookmarked on my computer, but it’s only a few months ago that I signed up for your email newsletter and now I don’t miss an entry!
I was born in Tallinn, Estonia but grew up in Ontario, lived abroad in France for 3.5 years, married a frenchman at 24 and now live in what is the ideal location for our situation- bilingual Montréal! I am in love with life on the road, and have constant wanderlust. I travel as much as I can, which is now harder with a toddler (but being just under 2 he has already been to 5 countries).
I love your storytelling and the way you describe each situation and place so visually that I feel like I can picture exactly where you are. Best of luck to you and many more travels!
Thank you so much for your comment, Olia, and for subscribing! Your family sounds very international and very well-travelled… how lovely. I hope that one day, if I have children, I will also take them travelling.
Thanks again for your kind words… and happy travels!
Hey Brenna! I’m Ashley from Ontario and I discovered This Battered Suitcase last year from a link that someone posted on Twitter. I love your blog and can relate to so many posts. I also love how you incorporate stories on this website (which are always so eloquently and beautifully written). It’s so easy to get lost in your stories- which I’m sure is the mark of a great writer.
That is so kind of you to say, Ashley – it really means a lot that you enjoy the stories here. I hope that you’ll keep reading!
I found your Livejournal waaaay back in the day (maybe 2006?) through a mutual friend. I then realized that we were in some English classes together at Dal and I started reading your journal and your blog as you started your travels. Your life has filled me with such wanderlust but I have not been able to travel much unfortunately! I love seeing where life has taken you and I think it’s pretty perfect that you are pursuing creative writing because you certainly have a gift.
Oh wow – that’s crazy!! Do you remember which English classes? That is so incredibly cool, thank you for sharing and for your very kind words. Maybe our paths will cross again one day… I have been meaning to head back to Halifax, after all!
Hi Brenna! I discovered your blog a year or so ago and I honestly don’t remember what lead me to it probably just googleing travel bloggers. I do remember reading a few posts and being hooked! I am totally inspired by your post and between you and a few other travel bloggers, I have definitely been inspired to start a separate savings for travel and make travel a priority in my life. While I know I’ll never be able to travel extensively for long periods of time, I do want take advantage of all the free time I do have and use it to travel.
That’s so great, Jenn! It sounds like you are on the right track to saving up and following all those dreams that other people might find a bit crazy. I’m so glad to hear that you found some inspiration through travel blogs. Happy travels, and thanks for your comment!
Hi Brenna,
I’ve been a reader of your blog for nearly 4 years now, and it stands to be one of my favorites in all of blog land. I believe I found your blog through reading Oneika the Traveler’s, and I’m so glad I did! You’ve inspired me to find the beauty in traveling and to cherish even the smallest moments and opportunities I have to go abroad.
Yes – you’ve been a huge supporter of my blog all along, and I am SO grateful for it! Thank you for all of your lovely comments and for all of your support, it really means so much to me. Happy travels, Chinye, and I hope our paths cross one of these days!
I discovered your blog through the website Her Packing List. I read an entry by yourself about how to pack travel outfits which stay true to your own style. It helped me so much in the build up to my own travels around South America; I packed 3 more dressed after reading your advice! I know it’s a cliche, but your posts are truly inspirational, and you’ve inspired me to embrace my wanderlust and take every opportunity to see the world. I also love your posts about London. As a fellow Londoner, it’s great to see someone getting so excited by the city!
Aw, that’s so great that the article helped you! Thank you so much for reading, and it makes me happy to hear that I get the stamp of approval from a Londoner. I hope the dresses served you well in South America!
Wow Bren! I am so proud of you and how far your blog has come! All of the amazing comments are so well deserved! I look forward to every post you have written, always have, always will. I love you xoxo
Thank you so much sister – you are my biggest supporter, and I am thankful for that every day. I love you xoxo
Hi Brenna! I’ve been reading your blog for the past two years now. I stumbled across it when I was planning my trip to South America – Its reassuring to know that I’m not alone in packing so many dresses! Your blog is really inspiring – your post on should I stay or should I go struck a particular chord with me (I even commented) – and you have an incredible gift. Its been amazing to see how your blog has grown, even in the past few years, and I’m really excited for your book x
Thank you so much, Morgan, this comment really means a lot to me! I’m so glad to hear about another person who feels the same (and who loves to pack lots of dresses). I hope you’ll continue to read and perhaps our paths will cross one day!
Hello dear Brenna! I found this blog when I found you at TBEX, and it’s given me so much joy since then. Your writing is a dream and it’s a treat to live inside your world, even if it’s only for the length of a post. Thank you for sharing with us… I’m glad to know you!
Thank you so much, Katrinka – I feel the same way about you! I’m so happy we met, albeit briefly and drunkenly. Hope to see you again soon!
I don’t remember how I found your blog, or when. My best guess is I stumbled upon it, a little over a year ago, one of the many times I’ve been glued to my phone looking up places I’m desperate to see. I’ve been to a few counties in South America my favorite being Peru by far. I stayed with a host family, and worked in a kindergarten for a couple months. I met so many people who were backpacking through all of South America, who had been there for months or were planning to stay for months, until they ran out of money. I’d always dreamed of backpacking, anywhere really, but meeting people who were actually doing it was what finally flipped the wanderlust switch in me. Unfortunately my lack of funds, and my lack of self-discipline to save up funds, along with my fear of solo-travel have kept me from really going out to see the world, but reading your blog helps feed the hope that one day I won’t let those things hold me back.
Thank you for sharing your story here, Raquel – your experiences in Peru sound incredible! I’m sure that you will overcome the things holding you back… you’ve done it before, so I believe you can do it again. Start saving today, even a few dollars/euros/pounds. And keep me posted!
You already know me 🙂 I just want to say I’m so glad I discovered your blog 4 years ago because through it I’ve gained such a wonderful friend in you. You’re such an amazing and inspiring person – as most of the commenters above have already mentioned. Keep on travelin’ and writing. xoxo
Aw, thank you, Kisha. I’m so happy that the internet brought us together. Here’s to lifelong friends! xoxo
Hey, just discovered your blog! Love your stories! I found your blog from the Travel Hack, a link that led to your scuba diving adventure in the Galapagos. I will definitely be sticking around for more!
Thank you so much, Hannah!
Hi Brenna! I can’t remember exactly how I found your blog, but I started reading around the time you left Japan. You’ve been such an inspiration to me with traveling and living life to the fullest. So thank you for writing, I truly enjoy reading.
Thank you so much, Laura, I always really appreciate your comments here!
Hi there Brenna! I’m from Scotland but currently living in Japan. If I remember correctly I found your blog a few months back from going through the blogroll of another travel blogger and i’m glad I did find it!
Thanks for your comment, Helen. As you may know, I’ve lived in both Scotland and Japan… and they’re two of my favourite places in the world!
Brenna, this is such a great idea! I know it is not my blog, but even I have enjoyed reading through the some of the comments and seeing where people come. I love the idea that you have created such a diverse community of people that are all inspired by your life, but also in turn also inspire each other. I found your blog through your article on That Backpacker, and I have been glued to it ever since. Your travels are drool-worthy, and your writing is entrancing! I still read back through your archives whenever I have a major case of wanderlust. As for myself, I am an America living in South Korea and forever and always dreaming about travel!
Thank you so much, Briana! That’s great that you found the blog through Audrey, I love her blog, too. I really hope to create a community where we can all inspire each other, there’s nothing better. I’m still inspired/motivated every day by other travellers, bloggers, commenters, etc! Thanks again for your awesome comment, you really are too kind.
I found your blog through ExpatKerri when I was researching my move to South Korea. Your photos are amazing and I would swear that you travel with a professional photographer or you have some Photoshop skills. I can’t wait to hear about your trip to Africa.
Thanks for sharing,
Ashley
Aw, that’s so nice that you found it through Kerri! And what a compliment – I travel with an iPhone and a Canon point-and-shoot, and hardly do any editing. Thank you for making me feel more confident about my photos!
Hi! I found this blog through twitter when I saw your funny mug and which led to this excellent Blog. Congratulations on your success, it is an inspiration to other writers!
I my self have currently moved from Canada to the Uk, Uk’s outdoor capital and just love traveling about. Additionally, I love writing!
Keep up the good work 🙂
Thank you so much, Kelsey! I hope you’ll keep reading. Lots more funny mugs to feature. 😉
Hi, Brenna,
I’m a college freshman and I found your blog over a year ago while googling aimlessly for travel blogs. I found oodles, but yours honestly became my favorite… I love how you tell stories. It made my last year of high school tolerable. I want to write for a living (poetry and novels) and travel the world. I’ve only left my the US a few times (walking the Camino de Santiago gave me my first taste of backpacking), but reading your blog had a genuine, concrete effect on my life: it inspired me to save all the money I can for travel. After college, I hope to live a life yours. Thank you so, so much for sharing.
Abby
Wow, thank you, Abby. That is a wonderful comment and I am so happy to hear that I had some small influence on your decision to travel and write. I wish you all the best – thank YOU for sharing!
I found your blog back in the day through livejournal too! I was a student at King’s and remember using the search tool to see if there were other students on LJ. Haha! Glad you’re loving London!
Ahhh I never knew how you found my blog in the first place! Thank you for always being such a great supporter of it and my social media platforms, it really means a lot to me.
Comments are now closed for the giveaway – a winner will be announced shortly!
Hello Brenna!
Thank you for doing this awesome giveaway and for being a very vivacious and inspiring person.
I have been reading about your travels since Livejournal.
Thank you so much Dorothy, I’m so glad that you are enjoying the blog! It’s amazing that you’ve followed it all the way from Livejournal, that blows my mind…
Hi Brenna
I can’t exactly remember how I came upon your blog but it was sometime in the last 6 months when I first started planning my first trip solo. It’s now only 3 weeks until I leave for my trip and I just can’t wait. Reading about your experiences travelling, particularly your funny stories and stories about what you’ve learnt through a life on the road, really captured my imagination and inspired me as I plan my travels. During my trip I plan that my blog will take on more of a ‘travel blog’ take on things!
Congratulations on all you have achieved through your travels and your blog!
Charlie x
Thanks so much, Charlie! I’m sure you will have an amazing adventure. Blogging has been such a fun thing throughout my travels and I’m sure that you will enjoy it as much as I do. All the best!
Hi Brenna, I’ve been reading your blog for a couple of years now, way before I set out on my own travels or started my own blog. You’ve been a constant source of inspiration; I love your writing style and I think yours is one of the most unique travel blogs out there. As you may have realised, I used to live in London and really miss it now that I’m on the road so I really love catching a glimpse of my fave city through your blog 🙂
Aw, thank you so much Amy. I’m so glad that I could provide even a little bit of inspiration. I will try to post more about London!
I actually wait for the movie of this book. 🙂
They’re making it finally!
Let’s see which version is better.
I’m too late for the giveaway, but that’s ok! I just wanted to say that I found your blog randomly – it was either through a google search for travel blogs or perhaps through a comment you’d left on another blog? Who knows! I’ve enjoyed reading through some of your recent posts (and a few random ones from a few years back), and am looking forward to hearing about your future travels!
Oh, thank you, Katrina! I hope that you’ll keep reading.