Google it! Google it!! Google it!!!
This is something I hear myself saying about a million times a day and will say a million times more, what a lifesaver Google has turned out to be. Any of my colleagues or family members could vouch for my go to in any situation, its become a sort of catch phrase in my family and my daughter does it the best her accent is amazing. Lets face it we are all just hitchhikers in this place I trust my local guide any day!
I joined the Google Local Guides program around a year or two ago as Google kept suggesting that I rate and review the places which I visit. I kept doing so and then Google suggested I sign up and become a Local Guide…what a fabulous suggestion I have loved every moment of it! As I read from another guide there is an element of competition and I couldn’t agree more! I enjoy receiving badges and leveling up. I have become new to Connect and I am astounded I did not become active sooner. In a week or so I have done a post made a new friend and read some amazing stories and posts. I love how interactive and connected this is, Google has given me a better connection to the world around me and helped me to feel like I am part of something and making a difference as corny as it sounds! 
I love my monthly mails from Google telling me how many people I have helped that month with my photos and reviews.
When a person wants to go to a new restaurant they GOOGLEit, they read the reviews and decide if they should give it a try. When my car makes that funny noise kadoom daoom swish wallop then I gotta GOOGLEit and find the best local mechanic, who better than to suggest but a local review. I rely on other locals to provide the information to me as do I love assisting other in important information about a place they are wanting to visit. If my grandpa is coming with me for lunch it would be great to know that there is a ramp for him use his walker or nearby parking to the entrance for ease of access. I absolutely love being a local guide and cannot wait to meet more people from around the world that share the same passion as me. It is so cool that I have already read so many posts from like minded people.
I live in Bloubergstrand, Cape Town, South Africa and I have lived here for basically my whole life, this is my local town and I love provide true and accurate information on the places around here and the surrounding areas. On my first international holiday to Bali I was able to visit places in another country and leave reviews and information about it. I cannot wait for more!
Thank you Google for the impact you have in so many lives worldwide!
