In 2018, Skansen, the world’s oldest open-air museum, was closed when I arrived. Google Maps told me it was opened. I did not want anyone to make a trip for nothing as I did, so I edited the closing time, and my journey as Local Guide began.
After became Google Local Guide, I started observing the place carefully and actively asking questions to people. I stepped out of my comfort zone and challenged myself.
1st Challenge
Three hours away by public transport. Must arrive there by 8 am. At least wait in line for 2 hours.
The Seoul Cafe Show, where all cafes were selling desserts, drinks, etc., was held in Coex, Seoul.
I usually don’t like visiting crowded events from the early morning, but this time I gave it a try. None of my friends joined me on this journey, so I was all by myself when I finally entered the Coex Exhibition Hall after hours of taking public transport.
I was exhausted from the long trip already but decided to shift my attention to the various dessert booths.
I never imagined so many unique desserts and drinks in my life. Cream bread shaped like a fish, dark chocolate tea, homemade bamboo straws…
I forgot about how tired I was and started asking questions to the café owners on how they started their cafe and why their desserts and drinks are different from other shops. I even had a chance to see the macaron baking session by a famous YouTuber and took pictures with her. Just as I was told, it was the best macaron I’ve ever had, and immediately left one of my most passionate reviews.
After a long day of pushing through enormous crowds and trying all the food from different places, I sat home feeling proud of my various reviews in a single day and an endless list of cafes to visit next and add to Google Map.
2nd Challenge
I was in Portimao, Portugal, the southern part of Europe. There was a 90min boat ride activity to the Benagil Caves. It was pretty windy back then and the waves were pretty scary. This was my first time riding a small boat out in the ocean. I was in the first row which I regretted right away. I felt like I was in the cold bumpy shower for an hour with freezing wind slapping my face nonstop. The lady behind me was kind enough to hand me her tissues, but I was too busy breathing heavily from seasick until…the boat reached the nearby caves.
I have never felt so small in my life. The massive waves created the most beautiful structure of blue and green emerald colors, and it was hugging the seawater as it crashed onto the walls. I got a terrible cold after this boat ride but never regretted the experience. I shared this amazing trip on Google Map and even left a small tip to ride in the back to save yourself.
3rd Challenge
In Helsinki, Finland, I had a chance to review a non-profit entrepreneurial community called Maria 01.
I was browsing through Eventbrite for interesting workshops and luckily found this place. I used to review restaurants and coffee shops mostly, but I wanted to expand my field of reviews and this was the first time to leave a comment on campus for startups.
I took part in more than four workshops visiting different parts of the building communicating with people from multiple countries. This took part during my exchange student program when I was adjusting to my first time living in a different country. I remember being anxious about stepping up to strangers but made good friends after several attempts. I plucked up my courage to approach some of the workshop organizers and two of them, Rami and Ash still stay in contact to this day!
All and all, these are some of the interesting things I’ve done as a Local Guide. Traveling as a Google Local Guide definitely made me an active person, less hesitant to try new things. There were activities that I’ve never tried before but challenged to deliver better reviews for Google Maps. It’s somewhat strange how the responsibility of writing a simple review could nudge me into various experiences, but it sure helped!
Hope all the other Google Local Guides could happily challenge themselves for more activities as much as I did!