I realized that I never wrote a recap of the Connect Live 2019 experience that I had, but this changes NOW!
The good thing about a long-overdue recap is that I can bring back the memories even more as I am writing these words. 
My journey of Connect Live 2019 started way back in March 2019, after being a Local Guide for just 3 months. If I remember well, I was level 7 at that time. I applied without any expectation as I just started and seeing so many of these great LGs around me. When I received the mail that I made the cut in June 2019, I was overwhelmed by surprise and possibly this was one of my most ecstatic moments of my life!
The event was planned for November 2019 and Google was incredibly flexible for the booking of the flights. I saw this as an opportunity to extend my stay after the event for a few weeks more, where I drove the car for nearly 5.000 km and visited 8 National Parks. Thanks to Google for making a childhood dream reality. 
The day of the flight to San Francisco was the first time that I met @JanVanHaver , whom coincidentally had the same outbound flight. It was such a pleasure to talk to such a Local Guide guru for me as a rookie! I still remember that I posted a picture on my social media of me with Jan and that some of my family members said that they had seen Jan on national tv earlier that week, where he was promoting the Local Guides program. 
I arrived a few days before the actual event so I had time to get used to the new time zone (9 hrs difference from home) and meet a few Local Guides already. I still remember walking on the streets of San Francisco with @AlexandreCampbell @TorM Cecilia, Jesi, among many others, singing the Kukaracha!
The moment we have all been waiting for was the kick off of the Connect Live 2019 event. We were meeting in the lobby of the Marriott hotel in San Jose, California. It was so amazing to see the faces of so many people that you have chatted with before or seen on the forum. I remember vividly that I was hugging and shaking hands with so many people, with Covid just lurking around the corner. 
The welcome party was one where the Local Guides came dressed or brought something that reminds of the country of origin. It was such an overwhelming moment of talking to so many people, announcements from Google, taking lots of pictures, amazing food & drinks. Goosebumps all the way!
The next few days we went to one of the Google’s event centers where we had many presentations and workshops. I have been to quite some events in my life, but oh my this event was SO WELL organized, thanks for that Local Guides team! Everything went so smooth and the attention to detail was unseen. 
It was amazing to get insights from Google but was also super nice that the Google teams were listening to our input so that we could shape the future of the Local Guides!
There are many things that I am still remembering from these days, but one thing really stood out: the feeling of companionship meeting the other 199 Local Guides from all over the world. It is truly indescribable to have so many people around you who share the same passion as you do! Up until today we are still having contact with each other, 2 years later. Isn’t that amazing?!
Many Local Guides are in my heart since that event but these peeps made it extra special and I want to thank them for that! 
@DianaTuaty @pacomorett @RogerOhayashi @Matt95Bassett @HenriqueOrsi @Welby @tzequi
What do you guys think about a virtual meetup soon to catch up?
I hope you all enjoyed this recap, I went through an emotional rollercoaster of happiness but also sadness because of missing those great moments!
It was amazing to be part of 200 chosen ones in 2019, and just a few weeks ago to be one of the 50 Guiding Stars 2021. You can read my Guiding Star profile here: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/custom/page/page-id/GuidingStar21?id=691293
OMG I don’t know when we will see an event like this again 