It was late in November 2018 when I visited Paris, France for the very first time. I was elated to finally be in this beautiful city I had read and heard about. I was going to see lots of popular places, take pretty pictures and make it one of my best tour visits in Europe. I already had my wish list and had prepared an itinerary of what to do for each of the 2 days I would spend in Paris. Now that I had become a Local Guide, I had the opportunity to share my experience with the world on Google Maps.
Generator Paris
I stayed at Generator Paris which turned out to be as beautiful as it appeared when I looked it up on Google. From the cute arrangement in my room, to the beautiful view from the room window, to the breakfast each morning, to meeting different ladies from various countries (Brazil, Greece, Portugal, China, Nigeria, America etc.), to the amazing rooftop bar where I took amazing pictures with another friend I met who happened to be a local guide. It was absolutely a fantastic time! Amazingly, I got such high views of my photos of Generator Hostels https://goo.gl/maps/EuaLWS3wDxXKkV3DA https://goo.gl/maps/k1MhHfMwaHZ3HdDU8
My favourite shares:
What I have mostly contributed on Google Maps are:
- Beautiful pictures of various places I have been to so that the map can be more eco-friendly
- Answers to questions about accessibility that help others find their way
- Review of places I have been to or stayed at so many others can make decisions on where to go
Disneyland Paris
The first day of my visit to Paris, I went to Disneyland that I had dreamt of since childhood. I had a wonderful time getting on different rides that me laugh out loud in great joy, scream in shock, squeeze my eyes in fear, hold my chair tightly, a couple of times squeeze the hand of the person beside me (a total stranger!) for support, my heart raced wildly without knowing what to expect on some rides. From the Tower of horror, to the Star Wars ride, to the parade of the different animated movie (cartoon) characters, to the fireworks at night, it was fun all the way. It was absolutely an amazing day! https://goo.gl/maps/gh6ig8ufQEQEN4Fy5 https://goo.gl/maps/qg6rt7X4PLWhPDFP7 https://goo.gl/maps/2cngH1Mi6npAGwEo8
Eiffel Tower
On the second day of my trip, I did a quick tour of the city of Paris making use of a tour bus. I remember it was very cold that day and for the first time in my life I felt what -2°C was like. I shivered under my jacket as it rained, but I just had to see those beautiful places I had heard so much about.
The first stop was at Eiffel Tower – the huge, magnificent monument popularly known and associated with Paris, that attracted millions of people yearly. I went with a new found friend that I met at Generator Hostels the night before, who also happens to be a local guide. We both walked around in excitement, while occasionally rubbing our hands together to heat them up before taking many pretty pictures in the freezing cold of Paris 
. It is amazing that the highest views and likes of my reviews are from Eiffel Tower. It is such a memorable place! https://goo.gl/maps/4Nwg95W6JSskzMhV6
Which brings me to the reason why I really love to share on Google Maps:
- Guiding others – I have seen how important it is for people to have details and reviews about a place they have never been to. I have travelled to foreign cities where I knew no one and had to rely on reviews and directions of others to find my way. It is a way for me to do the same for others.
- Being a problem solver – Answering questions about accessibility helps me to share my knowledge and in turn solve someone else’s problems about what to find in a place.
- For the love of pictures – I have always loved taking pictures, so sharing on Google Maps gives me the opportunity to do photography and share photos just as I see them.
- To inspire others – My actions (guiding others, solving problems etc.) can inspire others to do just as I am doing. That way, the world would be a happier, smaller and better place.
Paris Tour Bus
For the rest of the afternoon, I hopped on a tour bus and went sightseeing around the city of Paris. I saw most of the popular and beautiful monuments and landmarks I had heard about including Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre Museum, Grand Palace etc. Even shivering in the cold winter didn’t stop the fun and excitement of taking pictures from the top of the tour bus. https://goo.gl/maps/ioq9f9rTavCpeZK7A https://goo.gl/maps/1Ab8ju2e1Shqv79d8 https://goo.gl/maps/6Vsi37yTbpXwnkEZA
After the tour, I bought lots of Paris customized souvenirs including fridge magnets, keyrings and trays. This was my way of ending the trip as I held items and memories that would help me remember the beautiful city of Paris, till I return again sometime in the very near future
