World Traveled: The Art of Travel Blogging-Stories My Suitcase Could Tell

With the new year, I hope to use this blog as an outlet to explore the alluring world oftravel blogging. This week I had the opportunity to sit down with Katie MacLeod, the blogger behind Stories My Suitcase Could Tell. Katie and I had the opportunity to talk about travel, blogging, strategies, planning, goals, and accessories over coffee in Manhattan.

Here’s her story:

I didn’t go abroad until I was twelve, but my parents traveled a lot when I was younger. My parents taught us to be curious about the world. Our first family vacation was to Turkey.

 

After graduation in 2010, I taught English in China and used the blog to keep everyone at home up to date. Through this, I realized how much I loved both writing and traveling.

Today, it still isn’t a full time career. I moved from Scotland at the end of 2014 and worked for a local paper. I’m still a journalist. I’ve been blogging for about four years, and it took about two years for it to take off. I entered a few blogging competitions and won a free trip to Kenya as well as the ‘Best Travel Blog’ at Cosmopolitan Blog Awards.

 

It’s a lot of work behind the scenes. You have to go places, take pictures, write and edit articles, and post on social media. It’s like an extra job in a way.

 

It depends what you’re in it for. For me, I love writing so it’s a good outlet to indulge in that passion. You also get to know so many people online and in real life. I guess some of the pros could be complimentary stays and other free things. I don’t have any cons… it’s just a passion. I really like writing and traveling and I would do it if nobody was watching. I don’t really find it stressful since I love to travel.

 

There’s definitely a creative aspect to it. I always have lists of what I want to write about and places often spark ideas. It’s quite similar to other types of writing.

I always carry a camera, iPhone, and pen and notebook just in case. I haven’t used a GoPro yet, but I do have a selfie stick. 

 

Next week I’m going to Puerto Rico with my husband and then I’m going back to Scotland in March. In May I’m going to Mexico on a free trip that I won and the rest of the year is up in the year. I also want to do some local travel in the states. 

 

I suppose for me it depends. Some trips are planned in advance while other trips are planned around visiting friends or family. There’s really no special formula for it.

 

Savings! You just have to prioritize. If you want to get a new car every year or remodel your kitchen, you won’t be able to afford trips. I’ve always worked full time so whenever I travel, I go on vacation. It’s nowhere close to “broke backpacking.” You just have to wait and save.

Everywhere! I really want to go to Jordan, Israel, Cuba, and see more of the US. I could go on and on… I want to see more of Africa after going to Kenya. There isn’t really anything that I don’t want to go.

 

China, mostly because I lived there for a year and it’s so fascinating. The food and history are great. Kenya was also incredible. I’m from Scotland, so that’s the most beautiful place in the world. But, obviously I’m a little bias!

 

I haven’t done a lot of solo travel, since I mostly travel with friends and family. However, with travel in general, you should have the same mindset as if you’re at home. Be aware of your surroundings and use common sense. Just go and use the same attitudes at home.

 

No I wouldn’t say so. I’ve never had any dangerous experiences.

I guess there aren’t any specific products. I just always bring the travel size accessories. It sounds boring, but hand sanitizer is essential. I also only bring a carry on suitcase. Not a backpack. Not a suitcase. It’s the perfect size.

 

I definitely used to stick it out in the hostels, but now after traveling for a while I enjoy boutique hotels with history and quirky stories. I also enjoy apartment rentals. I always crash with friends, so it depends on the situation really. I like train travel, too.

 

Just do it. As long as you enjoy it, especially if you like travel and writing, and as long as you’re writing about something you’re passionate about, you’ll be successful. Just do it because you enjoy it.

 

I wouldn’t say any mistakes. I mean the world is so big I always wish I could’ve visited more sites, but I can always go back!