I discovered the local guides program accidentally. I was reporting for university for the first time and I ended up finding myself in the middle of a huge city that I had no idea how navigate. Pictures and reviews of different places made it possible for me not to get lost. It also made have an interest in how these pictures and reviews ended up where they are. Like many other people I used to think that it was the Google staff who made these things appear. I however learn’t that it was regular people like me that contributed to this, and it really made me feel hopeful. I can’t quite tell why it is that I felt that. Although thinking about it now, it stems from the scare I had that I might be lost but those photos and reviews gave me hope of getting to my destination safely. Yeah, the local guide program is a source of hope for many travelers around the world. But more than that, this program has made some impact in my life.
Photography
I was one of those people who couldn’t take a good picture even if it was going to save their life. Most of my pictures (I feel like calling them pictures right now is an insult to actual pictures in the world) were out of focus, with terrible effects and generally spoke nothing of themselves. Now, I can take a picture that I can call good and actually believe it. I put into consideration the lighting, subject, and other photography skills like rule of thirds. I can confidently say that being a local guide introduced me to this aspect since I wanted to take pictures which could give people the basic and important information they needed without straining.
Videography
Videos are close with photographs. It wasn’t a surprise that my interest in photos introduced me to videos and I can say that videos are now one of my top interest and this can be attributed to the local guide program.
Personal satisfaction
Anyone who has ever won something knows that there is a great feeling that comes with it. Like, “Yeah, I did this. I feel so proud of myself”. An even better feeling is knowing that you have helped someone else. That you have given someone hope (like someone once did me) is a good feeling. I always feel good when that notification pops up and it reads something like “you have 600 views, that’s how many people you have helped”. I swear that has to be one of the greatest feelings ever. That you have helped.
A better world
Most people think that you have to be Wangari Maathai or Greta Thunberg to make a difference (no offense to both of those great women) but it’s also true that the smallest things can also make a difference. You don’t even have to make a difference. Inspire others (as I was). Encourage others. When I upload a picture, add a new place, give a rating or write a review, I know I’ve done something of importance, however small it might appear. A lot of people want to make the world a better place in anyway they can. I’m one of those people.
The local guide program has had a great effect in my life, more than I might even know. And for that, I’m grateful.