My story of contributing to Google Maps and using Local Guides tools started nearly a year ago when I bought my smartphone with Google One firmware. This firmware has entered my life and allowed me to discover deeper different Google applications and services and the way they are rationally interconnected.
It was in April a year ago when I with my girlfriend decided to discover Yaroslavl, a small town about 200 miles from Moscow, Russia. Naturally we tried to make the most of that town and visit as much places as possible during the couple of days we have spent there. A great part of those places were restaurants and cafes and other dining establishments however it was difficult to find the good ones on Google Maps due to lack of info partially because Yaroslavl is in the middle of nowhere in comparison to Moscow and partially because Google Maps app was not so popular among citizens I assume. And I think everybody knows how it’s important to find the good place for breakfast that can suit your girlfriend’s taste. In case you fail this trifle can affect the whole day. Fortunately that day we had quite a good breakfast in Bazar café, the place visited by chance that really impressed us. Excellent combination of beautiful interior, rich menu and low prices.
Right after the breakfast my smartphone asked me: “Wanna share your impressions about this place?” Definitely I’d love to, I was full of impressions and wanted to share them immediately. We were sitting in the car just about to go on, I was completing my review and my girlfriend asked me: “Why do you do it? Who cares about it”? I kept the silence, completed what I did and thought about her question. On the one hand we had not much time to spend in that town on the other I realized that my contribution will take only a couple of minutes and help other people to find the right places they want to take their girlfriends to. That conclusion has dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s. I decided that I care about it. Later on our trip we have visited some neighboring towns and in the meantime I had fun sharing my reviews, enclosing photos of places we visited and answering questions about them. Here are some of them:
Bourgeois cafe
Samovar cafe with authentic Russian atmosphere
I should say I was encouraged by the growth of views of my uploaded photos and also I realized that by doing it I develop Google Maps in the region and it should help people make use of it in future.
After that trip I continued using Google Maps and contributing to them wherever I go. Mostly I share my reviews of restaurants and meeting venues in Moscow attaching photos. The main reason is I have breakfast meetings from time to time as part of my business and it’s essential for me to easily choose new suitable venues for these occasions. Looking through restaurants’ profiles the key factor is photos of the venue. Interior, cuisine and its general atmosphere conducive to conversation. The more photos are provided the better. All minor details can be found out by a phone call. Since Moscow is the big city here is still enough room for improvement. There are dozens of new restaurants launching daily and all they need thorough reviews. The fact is I’m not the only one who need such information for one reason or another that’s why I feel my dedication to updating and filling it up.
I believe my reviews one day will make someone’s day.
Below I’d like to highlight some of the dining establishments I’ve reviewed in Moscow:
BDD pub - one of the best pubs in the hood
Tazhin cafe, moroccan cuisine
800°С Contemporary Steak restaurant
And finally here is a foodie photo I’m proud most of all. It was taken during a recipe photoshoot presented by chef from Czech Republic in Fashala restaurant, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives.
