I once heard that Michelin guide critiques arrive unannounced to their bookings. They show up in 2 people, one orders à la carte, the other a menu, they pay and leave like any other customer.
When I visit a new place, I feel a little bit like them, a bit of their power, curiosity, expectations and mystery.
Being a Local Guide I found the courage to explore on my own and the motivation to discover my surroundings, whenever I am home or when I am travelling.
I get to see new things, trace reality for others, recommend places dear to me, enjoy a coffee out on my own, share a meal with good company, have opinions and make them available for people who want to hear them, take pictures, check data and travel. Ultimately I get to introduce small realities to a bigger audience.
It means that I get to do all my favourite things at once and I don’t feel any pressure or exposure, but only the pure excitement of reward.
Being a Local Guide I also get to see my surroundings in a different way. I pay more attention to changes and I look at the city hoping to find my new favourite spot.
A couple of years ago I was having a difficult time at work, I had worked overtime too many days, heard “thank you” way too few and I was simply running out of energy. The Local Guide program motivated me to enjoy the little pleasures and to celebrate the end of every working week till summer by treating myself to my favourite Italian ritual: a coffee (espresso macchiato) and newspaper on my way to work. It was simply perfect.