A story of a Google Local Guide Guy who can’t live without his Varenyky and Khinkali:)
Yep, that Google Local Guide is me, Dmytro Hladun, of Lviv, Ukraine, and here is my story…
Last year I was dying to go to Connect Live 2019, and I was hoping to make a whole family trip, as my wife is also a Local Guide (please check out my last year’s story here
https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/Why-I-love-to-use-Google-Maps/td-p/1538659
As 2019 had passed I moved up a level as a guide - Level 7 to Level 8. With my points and badges growing, and my stats continuously improving, I am really motivated to move up to level 9. My progress strategy is adding as much visual content to Google Maps as I can, along with writing fair and detailed reviews on the business I happen to visit, it all helps management pinpoint areas of improvement and provide prospects with the most relevant information, while they make their decision to whether to take their money to that place or go elsewhere. Being a business consultant myself, I believe in the value that my work creates and combined with the power of Google Maps, good and worthy businesses thrive much better, providing better service, value, and fair competition.
Naturally, getting out and finding new places that need to be checked out, reviewed and shown to the world does take the Explorer’s spirit, and so my family and I - we are just that!! My son absolutely loves his dough and whatever is inside for the filler- and so we figured- why not put together a ” List of Ukraine’s Best Varenyky, Pelmeni, and Hinkali”? (Check out the list here https://goo.gl/maps/GZDNmNRqJxkYPT3W7)
Here we are at ‘Dzyamdzya’, one of the places featured in the list. And, as usual, pics and reviews come along!!
The next photo is featuring a place called ‘Akhali’. This restaurant just added another location and now it has two!! I proudly feel myself as part of their success and growth, through getting the word out about their great food and service!!
Here I and my son are checking out Marusya, a place that serves great Varenyky!!. Their staff was awesome, and even their General Manager jumped in to be featured in the shot:)!!
The next one shows us at “Khinkalnya on Syhiv”. The food was incredible, but the hat topped it all!! I think my boy enjoyed holding on to the braids of the hat, just as much as he loved their khinkali!
Well, here comes the sad part. With the self-isolation and quarantine policy, people are not allowed to go out, explore, dine and write reviews… My best hopes and prayers go out so we get back to normal very soon here, with sick people recovering from the virus, and us going back to what we love to do seeking out new places and getting in the tasting mode… And hopefully, travel to Connect Live 2020, and meet all other Local Guides from around the world!!
Here’s my video application for Connect Live 2020