The local guides program created an opportunity for to me to help people at the same time enjoying my favorite hobby which is travelling. I stumbled upon Google Guides just by accident. Google Maps became interesting for me because of my interests in the places near my home or the places where I’ll pass by for my vacations. In time, I discovered Google Guides while using Google Maps.
From then on, I enjoyed rating places and answering questions on certain establishments I have been to. Some of my posts or ratings are the vacations that I went to both within the Philippines and abroad, like Japan. Some of my ratings or posts are places that I have been to out of sheer curiosity or I’m doing something else.
Just by doing these actions, means a lot for me. A sense of fulfillment or accomplishment is what I get out of this and that made me to continue using this application. I realize that Google Guides is not solely focused on tourism but a whole lot more.
Here is an example. As a blood donor of the Red Cross, I frequently visit the Philippines Red Cross Blood Center to donate blood. After my trip I receive a couple of inquiries about the place such as operating hours, what blood do they have and other inquiries. Answering questions coming from these users who at times are in dire situations is where I discovered this sense of appreciation and my impact on what I am doing. In a way, my simple action potentially saved a life. Therefore I gained a sense of appreciation for this application and also a sense of appreciation on what I’m doing because it impacts my local community, not just the internet. I couldn’t do it without Google Guides.