It all actually started when I visited my mom in Villa di Serio, Italy. We went to the Toy Shop that was in a nearby town to get something for my little brother Gabriele. While my I was checking out the toys and trying few things out I’ve came across that Spider-Man mask which you could try on. So I just randomly took a selfie with it.
Right after that Google Maps asked me if I’d like to post it and add some review. I don’t think I was adding too many things to the Maps earlier. But I thought “why not” and posted it. A month later I got an email saying that my pictures are breaking new view records and to my surprise it was that Spider-Man mask picture I took in Italy.
I couldn’t believe at first because it was so random. This made me wonder why so many people see this picture and is it even helpful for them since it’s just a selfie. Right, maybe it is just a selfie but it has a message in it.
The message you read from that picture is indirect. You read it without realizing. You understand immediately that I had some fun in that store. That’s why I took a selfie, am I right? And so as that train of thought was going on I got to understand that if people who were looking for the right store liked that picture I could help them somehow. I could also help the store to get new customers. I have contributed to their lives by letting them now they can experience something worthwhile there.
I felt sort of like a messenger of good news. HAHA! But yeah, that’s pretty much how that feeling appeared in me. It was a good feeling and a good start of a journey of contribution.
Now wherever I go I get new Google Maps notifications telling me to post something about the place I was at. Honestly I don’t always do it, but when I do I enjoy it and I think of the people that will read it, knowing that this might help them getting somewhere they want.
I love the fact that I am one of the thousands other Local Guides who love to share their experiences too. Their restaurant reviews have saved my life so many times already.
I’m looking forward to explore the depths of the Local Guides community in the countries I haven’t yet been to.
Bartosz Barabasz