How to be an useful Google Local Guide for a post-communist Country

Google Maps contribution stories
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Hi, everybody!

I am George Dragomir, a guy who wants to use Google tools to improve the wealth equality in the World.

In economy, we have the Gini index, a measure of the statistical dispersion of wealth. I think that one of the most important politic aims is the wealth equality of the population, maintaining a free market capitalistic economy. This is essential to allow every citizen to access services and goods without difficulties.

In my opinion, every citizen has to be an active leading actor in the economic and social growth process of the World, so I decided to use Google Maps to publish photos, videos, information and reviews about small unknown villages, familiar economic enterprises, folcloristic traditions and touristic landmarks of my native country, Romania, to make the World know them and to help them grow. These are the contents that I love sharing most.

When I was a child, my family struggled against many social and economic problems and when I was nine years old, I had to emigrate to Italy for a better quality of life. I developed a strong motivation sentiment who guides me to search for solutions to fight social poverty and disabilities and to help small entrepreneurs to evolve.

These are captions made in Voetin, Sihlea, Romania, a small village in Vrancea region, in which my ancestors were born, and where my grandparents are still living. Voetin is an exemple of a low-developed area, situation that brings to the peasants lower quality of life than the more developed big cities. In this village, like in other thousands of villages in Romania, the economy is based on self-subsistence, practising agricolture and breeding. Few people work also in the near city, but a big amount of the population, especially the youngest, emigrated. Vrancea region lost about 20% of the population, since borders were opened in 1990.

The entrance to the village. Voetin has about one thousand inhabitants and most of the houses don’t have current water, sewer system and connection to the gas system.
The entrance to the village. Voetin has about one thousand inhabitants and most of the houses don’t have current water, sewer system and connection to the gas system.3264×1836 739 KB

My grandfather bringing his horses to a grass field to feed them. Most of the people in the Romanian villages own horses due to their strenght and ability to pull agricultural tools.
My grandfather bringing his horses to a grass field to feed them. Most of the people in the Romanian villages own horses due to their strenght and ability to pull agricultural tools.3264×1836 1.2 MB

A little girl sitting outside her home. Most of the houses in the village are made of above bricks, building material made from earth and organic materials.
A little girl sitting outside her home. Most of the houses in the village are made of above bricks, building material made from earth and organic materials.2938×2204 1.07 MB

I will never forget that cold winter in which our water well iced, we remained without water, so my grandfather and me went to take it from a big source outside the village, putting it in plastic demijohns, which we brought at home with a sleigh.
I will never forget that cold winter in which our water well iced, we remained without water, so my grandfather and me went to take it from a big source outside the village, putting it in plastic demijohns, which we brought at home with a sleigh.3264×2448 870 KB

Two young brothers in front of their house, after the elder one brought the younger one back from school. One of the main aims of the government was to fight illiteracy, which is common in the villages, due to school dropout and inefficient transport system.
Two young brothers in front of their house, after the elder one brought the younger one back from school. One of the main aims of the government was to fight illiteracy, which is common in the villages, due to school dropout and inefficient transport system.3264×1836 838 KB

These are captions made in Bucovina. Bucovina is a beautiful territory, which along the years had been disputed between Moldavia Princedom, Ottoman Empire, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Russian Empire. It has beautiful mountains, strong culinary and folkloric traditions and many cultural sites, like the group of eight medieval monasteries included in the Unesco because of their external frescos. Bucovina is an exemple of succesful transition from a communist planified economy to a free market capitalistic one, thanks to the courage and investement cleverness of the people. Nowadays, the region attracts a lot of tourists, with the foreign ones growing every year.

Voronet Monastery, back facade with the Last Judgement fresco. The blue colour was obtained mixing up azurite with other ingredients which are still unknown.
Voronet Monastery, back facade with the Last Judgement fresco. The blue colour was obtained mixing up azurite with other ingredients which are still unknown.2794×2096 1.27 MB

Private home with an exposition of “ii”, traditional Romanian handmade shirts. Many small economic activities make these shirts and sell them to the tourists.
Private home with an exposition of “ii”, traditional Romanian handmade shirts. Many small economic activities make these shirts and sell them to the tourists.3725×2794 1.38 MB

Patrauti monastery with its wooden tower bell, built in 1725 and still working.
Patrauti monastery with its wooden tower bell, built in 1725 and still working.3725×2794 1.34 MB

I sojourned for a night in this family-run business in the touristic city of Gura Humorului. The owner who received me made me immediately feel confortable and all the facilities were wery good. These small and succesful familiar activities are the signs of a gained capitalistic business mentality, despite of 45 years of planified economy.
I sojourned for a night in this family-run business in the touristic city of Gura Humorului. The owner who received me made me immediately feel confortable and all the facilities were wery good. These small and succesful familiar activities are the signs of a gained capitalistic business mentality, despite of 45 years of planified economy.2794×2096 1.14 MB

Painted eggs in the Vama museum. Egg painting is an ancient Bucovinian tradition which has been maintained and enriched with many materials, colors and models.
Painted eggs in the Vama museum. Egg painting is an ancient Bucovinian tradition which has been maintained and enriched with many materials, colors and models.3073×2305 1.15 MB

Thank you all! My regards!

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Hi @GeorgeDragomir ,

I have just released your post from the Spam Filters. I would like to apologize for your post being marked as spam. Our filters run 24/7 and they can be a little harsh at times.

You can visit this article to learn more - Why was my Connect post marked as spam?

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Thank you very much!