People used to ask me where do you see yourself in the net 10-20 years? I replied, “Holding a camera in one hand and a bag in other, exploring the world”. Now, if you say this to an Indian parent then trust me they will literally lose their shit. My parents replied, “Stop being naive and go study. Make us proud”.
TBH, the only far off places I’ve traveled were in my dreams. I never really got a chance to live my dreams until I heard about the Local Guides by Google. Then it struck me that so what if I can’t travel the world, I can be a local guide. You know the problem with our generation is that we always associate traveling to far off cities, countries, etc. We are always trying to find peace in far off places. What if our peace lies in those nearby places we used to visit when we were kids. What if I belong here? What I am a happy place? And what if instead of being a globetrotter I wanted to be a local guide?
I know it sounds funny that who wants to be a local guide instead of a globe trotter? Honestly speaking being a local guide and exploring the food joints has also given a sense of peace in my life.
Now you would say anyone can be a local guide what’s so different about it? Well, who said I wanted to be different? And yes, Google has given me a platform where anyone can be a local guide. I would not say that I feel honored but rather good that by using google maps and posting reviews I’ve helped someone. I’ve posted about my city Alwar, Rajasthan, India. I might have not created a really big difference in someone’s life but helping someone through google is somewhat my contribution to the world. I’ve realized that choosing an easy option I not wrong. It may not be the choice the society wants you to take up but it certainly isn’t the wrong choice to make. Who knows that by choosing this easy option can change my life. Who knows that being a local guide holds my ticket to San Fransisco and beyond.