What are the chances that a Filipino-American man who was raised in Turkey, then America, but now calls Mexico home has Nigerian cousins? Well as it turns out, extremely likely. Join me for a very fun podcast episode with Livelingua founder Ray Blakney as we chat about nomad travels and other fun experiences.
Rolling Stone Expat In Mexico – Ray Blakney of Live Lingua
You know that feeling you get sometimes when you first encounter a person? The feeling that you’re in for a good time even before exchanging a word with them? That was the sort of feeling l had before my first interaction with Ray, just from a few lines of an email. I knew l had to interview him.
Ray has spent over three quarters of his life living as an expat. It’s obvious that travelling and savouring new experiences are in his blood after hearing of the far flung places his family (more rolling stones) have lived for extended periods.
As l predicted, the interview was a lot of fun for me. He has had so many adventures in his life, and he shares just a small sample of it here. We could have gone on for hours more had we tried, but l was conscious of the time constraint. Now having happily settled in Querétaro Mexico with his wife for the past few years, they now have a toddler added to the mix.
Highlights of the podcast:
- Growing up in Instanbul and other places he’s lived in.
- Moving to America for higher education.
- Relatives scattered all over the world and how that came about.
- Being the outsider in the family, profession-wise :-).
- The Nigerian connection.
- Meeting his wife during his two years in the peace corps.
- How his sword-fighting hobby is like bringing a knife to a gunfight.
- His amazing luxury train ride after their Inca Trail climb.
- How the coronavirus has impacted his business and has forced him to stop and smell the roses.
- Bootstrapping and starting Livelingua with his wife, an online platform for people who want to learn new languages such as Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, etc.
- How Livelingua works and what makes it different from others.
- Advice for people in these trying times.
Listen to the rolling stone expat podcast here:
Other podcasts of interest:
Retirement doesn’t mean a million $
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How to contact Ray:
I notice something familiar when l “meet” other people who grew up outside of the United States. There seems to be a common theme of an appreciation for life and genuine happiness that comes from knowing how fortunate one is.
This forces you not to worry about the little things in life, such as demanding to see the manager for every little thing in the mistaken belief that the customer is always right :-). Time spent watching how people across the world make do with so very little changes you for the better.
Like water off a duck’s back, you learn to laugh things off and know not to take yourself too seriously. The big picture becomes more important. I really enjoyed the interview as l have the same outlook. Life really is too short.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the worldwide listeners of the podcast. I am truly humbled. If you follow us on Facebook, you know that every so often l mention when the podcast hits the top of the charts, and crow just a little :-).
Amazing to hit the charts in countries such as South Africa, Canada, Sweden, the UAE, and more. I have fun doing the podcasts, and l am pleased that others are enjoying listening.
How are you passing time wherever you are? Any lockdowns etc.?
Good interview with Ray. Loved the Peru story and the empty train. It’s always interesting hearing boots on the ground stories from other parts of the world on how they’re dealing with Covid-19.
Thanks for listening. Boy, would l love to have something like that happen to me (the train). That would be awesome. He has definitely had his share of fun in life. I also enjoy hearing how others are coping.
Incredible story about that train. Since I love trains so much, I was already thinking that I would’ve enjoyed that experience… but then hearing about getting the entire train for yourself – now that’s indeed a one in a lifetime opportunity (unless you’re one of those who actually afford this). Really good podcast, loved the energy and the stories shared!
I know. I always wonder why things like that never happen to me! :-). Had it been a disaster, I would be of course on the receiving end of it. Yes, you, as a train lover would have loved it, not to mention pester the crew with loads of questions..haha! Thanks for listening. This was indeed fun.