“Do activities you’re passionate about - which make your heart and soul feel perky - Karen Salmansohn”
Initially I used to search for my own school and nearby places but could not find any of them,Later I came to know that we are the ones who could add those places to the maps.Since then I kept on adding/editing the contents of Google Map as a passion to exhibit my neighbourhood in the Map.As a part of GDG and Women Techmakers Kathmandu community events we have organized several Mapping Workshops in Kathmandu valley and also in other cities of Nepal.
Yes I can’t deny the fact that I was attracted by the perk of 1TB Google Drive Storage,early access to new Google Products and features,Badges which motivated me for continuation of my contribution in google maps.
Coming to Paris (arrived in September 2018) and starting a new journey of life was not so easy but to some extent use of google map has reduced my hurdles.But In contrast to my expectations, Google Map has misguided me many times some of the troublesome moments are:
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Some of the bus routes(eg 607, 620 by Transdev ) are not available in Maps we are compelled to use other apps(In French Language) to view those bus routes.
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Some directions led me to dead ends or prohibited entrance/Exit (Wasted lots of time in search of valid exit at Palace of Versailles)
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No opening hours info for many popular stores (FNAC: a large French retailer for electronic products)
There was a transition of a life from Local Guide to a Map User. Whether they are relatives from Portugal or Netherland or the new friends from Nepal I kept on guiding them throughout Paris. And of course Google Map has been the best friend for all those trips.
I had been expecting to have lots of exciting events in this big city, but could not find much. In early months of my arrival I was struggling in setting up my new life but still I had been regularly searching for Local Guides meetups in Paris and finally able to attend Promenade “36” PhotoWalk Paris organised by @JeanRV , to follow @PaulPavlinovich call for the World Wide Local Guides 36 Walk Photowalk . After 7 months in Paris the short meeting with our amazing Local Guides @ErmesT @AntonellaGr was great achievement for me and felt like I am back to normal life of a Local Guide.
Don’t know why but here most of the new additions are rejected. I can’t stop taking photos and videos wherever I see the storefronts or any beautiful artifacts or landscapes which I post later in maps hoping these helps people guiding to the destination comfortably by understanding it visually before the visit.
These days my major activity in Map involves Addition of Photo/Video and Answering the questions as far as they are understood after translation(Still Learning French )Being a Local Guide I keep on encouraging people to use map and use its exciting features for their own comfort.
Wish to join the Local Guides family in person and meet other LGs from all over the world explore new city, meet Googlers and share/ complain some issues and request for feasible solutions.
Hope to see you in San Jose in November.
