Traveler Tuesday – Keane of Keane Li
[I know its Wednesday but I missed two Traveler Tuesdays during the holiday when my brain went on strike. ]
I have had the pleasure of meeting today's travel blogger in person! Keane Li is a blogger, freelance writer and up until the end of last year the San Francisco Community Manager for Gogobot. Which is where I met him while attending an event for Gogobot community members.
I don't think Keane stands in one place for very long! He is involved with a lot of groups, travels all over the world while being an ambassador for all things San Francisco.
Let’s meet Keane!
[1] When and how did you become a traveler?
I moved around a bit when I was a kid, having been an Army brat with family around the world, but my first big backpacking trip came after I left the Federal Reserve Bank after two years as a financial analyst. Two days after leaving, I flew to Boston and spent a month traveling down the East Coast and eventually to New Orleans. After I returned, I started working for startups in marketing, then later in content and writing, and now I'm the SF Bay Area Community Manager and Social Media Manager for Gogobot, a travel startup based in Menlo Park.
[2] What is travel to you in 10 words or less?
The opportunity to learn more about people and life's meaning.
[3] What is your favorite mode of transportation and why?
I love trains because they're comfortable and they take you into the hearts of cities. There's also a romance to train travel that I really adore.
[4] What do you typically do while traveling by plane?
I'm a huge film buff. Once the entertainment system is on, I'll watch movies non-stop until the plane lands. I usually have a book with me as well for the moments I don't feel like staring at a screen.
[5] What is your favorite travel memory involving food?
Two years ago I went to Emilia-Romagna in Italy for a travel writing program sponsored by the region. On one of the excursions, they took us to an agriturismo out in the country. A single elderly woman prepared the food and served it, and it was one of the best meals I've ever had. Given that the region brought the world ravioli, tagliatelle, lasagne, Parmigiano-Reggiano, balsamic vinegar and more, you can imagine how well we dined.
[6] What is one blogging tip or lesson that you have learned along the way that you can share with my readers?
Like many industries with active voices online, the travel space is over-saturated with people writing often about the same subjects. A writer should strive to find a unique voice while searching for innovative ways to present a story.
[7] Where to next?
I just spent the holidays in Hawaii (where I grew up) and in 2015, I'm planning a trip to Switzerland, southern Germany, and Italy from Milan to Sicily.
Thanks Keane!
You can keep up with Keane on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Youtube and Flickr. Wherever you catch him, I am sure you will enjoy his adventures!
How about you? What would you like to know about Keane?
That PASTA! I went to Italy a few months ago, and I can’t get the food out of my head. I didn’t make it to Emilia-Romagna — I’ll have to make sure I get there next time!
@Katie, you. Me. Emilia-Romagna.
Le sigh. If it was in my budget for this year, I’d be THERE. Aw hell. That’s what credit cards are for, right??! 🙂
@Katie, come on down!
cool, keane! that pasta looks delicious
I love pasta!! Looks so fresh and delicious!!
Keane is such a great guy. We had the opportunity to meet him during the writing trip to Emilia Romagna. That pasta was so delicious!
@Nat, I think I would have liked that trip!
i’m the same way on planes and try to catch up on all my movies then. 😀 that pasta looks so good! That’s how I was too Katie! It’s just been too long now.
I enjoyed meeting Keane. He sure has a cool job!
That pasta looks amazing. I’d love to one day dine in Italy. 🙂 We know who to ask for Italy recommendations!
@Suki, most definitely, there is nothing better than pasta in Italy!
It must have been very special having dinner in Italy cooked by that woman. What a blessing it is to travel the world!
@Jen, I know I think I would have thought I had died and gone to heaven!
I love that he’s a film buff. I’m a HUGE film buff myself and whenever I travel I ALWAYS make sure to have my favorite movies ready to watch. Once I was stuck in an airport overnight because of a cancellation and snow storm so I basically had a movie marathon right there in the airport <3
@Angelic, I always have movies and TV shows loaded on my iPad but I am not sure I would have enough for a whole night!
Ahh! I was just at Brandenburg gate before Christmas. IT is always so much fun to learn about other bloggers. His advice to find your voice is great, and something I am still working on!
I’d love to know some local tips for travelers when in Hawaii, Keane. I’m gonna be there some day, I promise myself that.
I love these posts, so great to read about people who love travelling. So jealous Keane spent the holidays in Hawaii and grew up there too, it’s my dream to visit there 🙂
What a great interview. I actually usually entertain my kids on planes, so I don’t get much time to catch up when I fly.
Looks like so much fun! I wish I had more money to travel more!!!
So many things that I agree with in this interview, and I love that story about the food memory. I’ve interacted with Keane on social media but have yet to meet him in person.
@Jenna, ack you should have come down for one of the Gogobot events, he hosed a billion of them before he left. Maybe some day!
What a great interview – I’ve always wanted to b a traveller but with three boys under five I guess my dream will have to wait!
@Sara, a short wait and then you can get out and explore with your little army!
Watching movies is a great way to pass time on flights and trains. I think eating is one of the best experiences when you’re travelling too.
@Eileen, me too! I eat my way through everywhere I go!
What a fun interview! Great way to get to know travelers and find out where they are going and what they love!
@Echo, thanks, I am glad you think so!
This is so awesome, it must be great to get a nice look at the world; I really want to travel around myself and see different cultures!
@Annemarie, looks like you have done a little, I wish you many more trips!
oh so jealous of his travel plans, I will be exploring europe too but its in my back yard so i can go anytime i want to visit south korea though and maybe take a leaf out of keane’s book and have a distinctive voice when documenting my travels.
@Myrabev, EasyJet, RyanAir, train, ferry you do have Europe at your feet – where do you want to go to first?
Awwww what a fun interview 🙂 I use to travel months at a time pre-mommy days and the food was always my favorite thing about traveling to unique places 😉
@Courtney, where was your favorite pre-mommy trip to?
Wow you just had an amazing time traveling! I really enjoyed the interview. I thought it was fun and quite interesting too! Thanks for sharing your travels!
This is a great interview indeed. I would love to travel like him just for the different cultures and people. He is going to wonderful places this year which I would love to go to Hawaii and Italy myself. Thanks for sharing.
@Rebecca, I am glad you enjoyed it. Yes, Keane’s plate is full of great trips!
Youth. To have no spouse, children or mortgage. I live vicarious through posts like these. So inspiring to read. I love these interviews that you post.
@Margarita, thanks! There is something to be said for travel after the kids leave home – lots of great midlife travel blogs and travelers out there!
Oh my goodness the pasta looks amazing! I think it’s so awesome to be able to travel for a living. Every day would truly be an adventure!
@Corina, doesn’t it though? I think I want to go to Italy just to eat that!
What a great post! I love these kinds of articles, where bloggers branch out to meet someone new. What *I* would like to know is how a traveler is able to afford their journeys. How it’s impacted them socially (like relationships or friendships) and career-wise. As a mother of four children, presently living on one income while I stay home to raise our youngest two…. travel’s not in the cards 😛 The furthest getaway we have is up north, which is awesome for me and much preferred anyway. I’ve been to various countries overseas and even lived in the UK for a year but it turned me into a homebody.
Lucky thing, as I can travel about as far as 3 cities over before the budget runs out at this point!!! LOL
@Alysia, travel does become a little more difficult when you throw kids into the mix! But there is so much to explore right in our neighborhoods – three cities must have plenty to keep you busy on mini-adventures!
Amazing pictures, that pasta makes me hungry. After the kids get older or when they’re at their dad’s over the summer time, I’m gonna have to do some traveling. I’ve been cooped up as a sahm for 10 years.
@Natalie, most definitely, looking forward to hear about your adventures in the future when you do get out there!
My dream job! i wish i could travel to all the places he said he is going to go this year! Maybe I could do that in five years!
@Lola, I totally hope so for you!
Awesome post, I always love your pictures.