Ever since I knew about Google maps and the Local Guides program, I always thought like this.
“When you travel alone, if you know how to use google maps, then you are never alone.
You are with Google’s Local Guides from all around the world.”
So, one time I decided to travel alone to Hong Kong for a week before I came back to Korea from Canada. This was the first trip in my life that I went by myself.
I feel like I was lucky because I was able to meet really nice people from the guest house in Hong Kong.
Most of the people who I met in the guest house told me that they use google maps.
They saved some places where they wanted to go and made their own list for the trip. Also, they checked out other lists that were suggested by other Local Guides.
Before I found out that people use Google maps like this, I used to just post pictures and reviews on Google maps. I feel so silly when I remember this!
I followed how they would use Google maps for trips and had some people join my trip.
I was a little bit nervous at first, leading people in an unfamiliar place.
After all the trip, I was extremely happy that other people liked the places the I decided to go.
That made me feel like I’m a very helpful person and motivated me to help travelers in Korea.
After I came back to Korea, I helped some people out who I met in Hong Kong and took them to local Korean places. After that, I started to help even more friends and guided them all over Korea. Being a Local Guide in real life was a really precious experience.
1. Knowing about Korea more.
Before, I’ve never thought about vegan restaurants or gluten free food in Korea. It was really new to me so, I had to find these places for my friends. Thanks to my friends, I went to vegan restaurants and experienced vegan Korean food for the first time.
Some of my other friends wanted to go to historical places so I took them to the DMZ (demilitarized zone), the War Memorial, Seodaemun Prison History Hall, Gyeongbok Palace and other places. These locations are good to know when it comes to the dynamic Korean history.
2. Becoming very responsible.
As a Local Guide, I’ve always wanted to make someone’s trip be full of good memories in Korea. I decided really carefully where to go and searched a lot of different places to make the trip enjoyable.
While I’m trying to find a good place on Google maps, I thought that when I post reviews, I should put in a specific and accurate review that contains as much information as possible. Unfortunately, things that are well known and obvious to locals will be unfamiliar to travelers.
For example, I will post a detailed review like this, “I took my American friend to this place and he said that the chestnut makkeoli (a traditional Korean rice wine) tasted like coffee! He really loved it and said when he comes back this is the first thing he will drink. If you never tried makkeoli yet, I recommend this place!” Instead posting something like “good place to drink makkeoli.”
To be honest, sometimes I use to post really short reviews as well. Now when I post reviews on Google maps, I try to give as much information as I can. Any extra information can help out someone when deciding what to do.
3. Becoming more energetic and passionate.
When I take people somewhere, I always try to find a great place on Google maps. I have found so many different places this way so, I try to go new areas as much as I can. Before I became a Local Guide, I used to always go to the same places. I now go out alone to explore new areas. When I am able to find a new place and can take other people there, it makes me become more energetic and passionate about being a guide.
4. Feeling happiness when I help others.
When I took some travelers to a local place, I saw energetic they became and how the expression on their faces brightened when discovering something new. That reaction that they show to me makes me really happy and makes want to help people even more. I feel connected when I can share the positive experiences I have with other people. Sometimes the people I met will send me personal cards or messages talking about the wonderful experience they had. When I receive these, I feel like I am reliving those happy memories all over again.
5. What I got being a Local Guide in real life?
To me it is really exciting to make new friends and experience other cultures. Sometimes my friends will ask me that their friend is in Korea and if there is any advice that I could give them. Sometimes when I am taking my foreign friends to local place, we were able to meet more people. I wanted them to have a good experience so if they tagged along, I would show them around as well. These people had a wonderful time and told me that they were excited to meet me again. So, if I ever came to their country, they would show me around.
Here are some pictures of I took when my friends went to local places.
