About more than a year ago, I married the love of my life, a US Military Service Member. After marrying, I moved with him to South Korea. We started traveling and discovering other places together. After three months, we got orders to be stationed in Germany for 3 years.
Three long years in Europe. Far from my family in the Philippines. A different language to learn and a very unfamiliar country to adjust. I was very nervous. It’s not the same as being in Korea where I could fly in a heartbeat to my hometown. As a military spouse newbie, I didn’t know what to expect.
One of our memorable photos in Seoul, South Korea last 2018.
Good thing I was blessed with a very optimistic husband, who kept on encouraging me to look at the brighter side. He knows I love to travel and eat. He told me we can do all those together in Europe. My sadness turned into gladness. I was hopeful.
Our first trip in Europe, no less than the City of Lights, Paris (February 2019)
We arrived in Germany last January of 2019. Shortly after that, we did our first eurotrip in Paris! My dream city to visit! It was on this trip where I discovered Google Local Guides Program. Even before that, we’ve been using Google maps to navigate all the places we wanted to go. Until one day, I got one notification from Google maps to give a review from one of the places we’ve visited in Paris. Who would’ve thought that my most viewed review was from this trip?
My most viewed photo in Local Guides was my picture of the ratatouille dish we ate in Paris.
Providing reviews and snapping photos to share to the whole world, was never my thing. But somehow, God willed it to be seen. I was amazed how a single photo from a non-photographer gained so much attention. Since then, I worked on my skills to be better in sharing information to help other foreigners like me and even locals alike.
Sharing helpful information about certain places, especially the less visited ones gave me a good outlet to connect and help people. It meant so much to know that a single post can help hundreds and thousands of travelers. Most of all, it is worthwhile to know that the military community will see my reviews that I hope will help them in their journey in this foreign land.
The program has done so much to me and I am very grateful for that. It helped me cope up with loneliness being in a foreign land. I gained confidence to share travel tips even if I’m no writer. I now look forward to the rest of the time I will be spending whichever country the military will send us. I became a more positive and responsible person.
Our unforgettable hike in the Swiss Alps on my last birthday, May 2019.
On top of that, I gained a travel consultant, the Local Guides community. To my co-local guides, thank you for your time and effort. Your reviews meant a lot to me and my husband.
Taken on our visit at the famous Black Forest, the fairy tale place of inspiration of the famous Grimm Brothers. October 2019.
P.S. I pray that the Covid-19 outbreak will be gone. Until then, let’s support our community’s businesses and attractions after the disease will be over. For now, you all take care and see you all soon!