I’ve been a local guide for years and I can tell you that I’ve enjoyed every moment of it! ?
For the past two years I’ve been focusing my contributions to restaurants, bars, markets or anything related to gastronomy (which is one of my passions) and sharing those experiences wherever I go is something that fills me in so many ways!
I’m always looking to capture the complete essence of the place I visit so people can get a great idea on what to expect, and it always makes me happy when someone likes my review or when it gets a lot of views because I see that it’s actually making a difference. Here’s an example of an email I received recently about the impact from my review of Mirá Restaurante (originally written in Portuguese):
And that’s just one of many things! I also enjoy making lists that people can identify with, answering questions, helping small businesses by adding new locations, having meet ups to get to know other LGs and their experiences (which is very inspiring), or even encouraging friends to join the program.
Besides that, getting tips from my fellow LGs and getting to know them a bit through their contributions is something very rewarding for me. Whenever I go to a new place I look for the reviews, and if I find one interesting I check the LG profile on Google Maps. I must confess that doing this has inspired me, because when I see their contributions, I can see a bit of their personality, their passion and all the effort they put in, just like I try to do!
I remember that when I started, it made me feel special to have the power of making a difference and helping others. So when I look back to the time I’ve spent being part of this community, I see that my passion for it always increases and that guiding others is part of my life.
For me it’s all about helping, sharing, being honest and doing it all from the heart.
This program for me is life, happiness, motivation, something that makes you grow as a person and that also opens your eyes to the world!I feel like we’re this huge family that supports you unconditionally, that understands why you do what you do, that encourages you to be better and that whenever you need them, they’ll be there for you. 
What started as a hobby is now a way of life, I can’t imagine myself not being a Local Guide and I’m sure many of you can relate to this feeling (that might be hard to put in words).
I’m incredibly grateful to be part of this and I know I will be for as long as I can. All I can say is thank you all and let’s guide!
. Very nice post and very beautiful photos, thank you for sharing it.
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