Welcome to the Battered Orange Suitcase.  In its very name, this blog represents three things that are deeply resonant in my life. Battered – as in comfortably broken-in from the pace and exhilaration of the journey of life;  Orange – rich and vibrant, a source of  energy and also my favorite color;  Suitcase – synonymous with exploration, freedom and adventure,  yet an interesting metaphor for the physicality of things – the particular space in which we transport the material ties that keep us comfortably tethered to the part of the world that we call home.

On a more practical note, I have owned a set of battered orange suitcases for the last many years.  Together, we have traveled to distant shores and back.  They have kept my things safe through my journeys and provided a necessary link that grounds me to my life in the face of unfamiliar lands.  And like a true life companion, my battered orange suitcases have never strayed or gotten lost (a testament, no doubt, to their vibrant color), despite the confounding number of non-descript bags which threaten to overtake them in airports around the globe.

So, Battered Orange Suitcase, contrary to its inherent implication as a well-worn tool used for transporting, is in this case, a destination – a venue for sharing resources, information, insights and experiences gained through traveling, whether out of country or out of comfort zone, and a means of encouraging fellow travelers to leave a positive and lasting imprint on the lives of the people they touch through their journeys.

Bon Voyage!

Lesley Ford – Los Angeles, CA