Hi, hey, hello!
I am so excited to share my piece of experience. As it’s my first post I might as well express my gratitude:
I LOVE YOU ALL, GOOGLE MAPS GUYS!! You do the GREAT job, I admire you!!
So why am I here? To share what I like to share.
Let me tell you a little story that occurred at the dawn of my formation as a person that takes pictures of unphotogenic buildings, shops and places situated so inconveniently and discreetly that you seriously reconsider your decision to go out of house again while looking for a sign or a local sage to guide you on the quest.
…it was a hot summer day. So hot you could hear leaves on the trees drying and falling.
Well, that was the day I embarked on a journey to a local hospital. No need to say this building kept eluding me for a whole hour when it turned out I was walking in the right direction but every time failed. I was circling.
When I found out about that, I was so angry and sweaty and a little dizzy from the sun and the fever. So I opened Google Maps and - click! - did my very first photo. Not exactly one, I’ve done like three or five to get people to know how to find the hospital. It was so frustrating to wander there under the sun being sick and I thought I could help someone. Then I forgot about that episode.
The other day I saw that people on Google Maps actually used this information!! I was so happy! I just wanted to make life easier and, you know, Russia in winter (or in summer, or in general) is not a piece of cake so you better specify your destination. It was so unexpected!!
Mostly I love to share places that are difficult to find. From time to time I can post my opinion about popular ones but these annoying hard-to-find destination points are in my heart forever. I don’t specifically look for them but they get me anyway.
Also I like to add small businesses when I discover something cool. Like little bakeries. I am really obsessed with bread, always looking for the freshest.
I think people are my best motivation. I am very happy to contribute. I need to study and work but when I have a chance to change something: to go for a spring cleaning with the guys from my university, or to store empty bottles to recycle them later, or to teach English for free, to share my knowledge and skills - that I can do.
I was so emotional when I got my first MILLION OF VIEWS. It really means a lot to me. It means that my tiniest efforts are making a difference.
It is empowering to think you are helping. It’s the feeling that becomes a part of your identity. You take a little step and suddenly you can’t stop and want to do more and more.
I am so proud of Local Guides!!