Hi @Nawaf_an,
Welcome to Connect!
Thank you for sharing your introduction! To keep Connect organized and for you to meet other Local Guides, I will merge your post with this month’s Introduce Yourself series.
Visit our Community Guidelines page, to get to know our community!
Name: Nawaf
Location: Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
What I love about being a Local Guide:
I love sharing honest experiences to help others discover the best places around them.
Restaurants, cafés, and hotels – I enjoy checking out new spots and giving detailed feedback.
I started reviewing after a frustrating experience at a place. That moment made me realize how important it is to guide others and protect them from bad experiences. Since then, I’m passionate about helping people through my reviews.
Name: FAYA YOLLA LENO
Location: Bhubaneswar, Odisha / India. But I am from the Republic of Guinea, in West Africa.
What I like about being a local guide: I don’t have enough experience because I just started using Guide Local even though I was already using Google Maps. Generally in Africa, and especially in my country, people are unable to locate hotels, restaurants, beaches, tourist spots, and public places, even though there are so many of them. There’s no one to promote their places and locate them on Google Maps. I try to help people by going to these places and leaving a review on Google Maps, evaluating the quality of the food, the type of establishment and the service, and the routes. And when people appreciate my reviews, it gives me great satisfaction.
My favorite activity: When I arrived in India, specifically in Bhubaneswar last September, I started visiting certain public places on weekends, such as parks, museums, and restaurants, using Google Maps, which allowed me to get to know the city. Sometimes, I like to visit these places and locate them on the map, which will allow me to learn how to better use them in my country. Since these are small businesses, it’s very important to support them.
Fun fact: The 5-star hotel… village version.
I spot a brand new “5-star hotel.” On site? A hut with a mat, a rooster on the roof, and a sign written in charcoal: “We sleep well here.” The welcome was warm: I was offered peanuts. I updated the profile to specify: “Stars visible only if you sleep outside.”
Hi everyone!
I’m new to Local Guides Connect and still figuring out how things work here. I’ve been contributing on Google Maps for a while with reviews, photos, little insights and now I’m excited to take it a step further by joining this community.
Would love to learn from you all and hear how you got started here. Looking forward to connecting and contributing!
Cheers,
Vismit
Lvl6 local guide
You’re welcome so @Vismit
I think for the first steps
You should go for Old browser exist already and start with introduction one the link below 
Welcome to Local Guides Connect! 👋..
Welcome to the club, @Vismit!
It’s as easy as sharing stories, photos, favorite places, etc. on here! Definitely hit up the introduce yourself link above as well!
Hello @Vismit & welcome to Local Guides Connect.
I want to inform you that I’m merging your post to our monthly feature Introduce Yourself — June 2025 , where you can meet local guides from around the world.
Moreover, Here you can follow the five prompts below and share your introduction In this thread including your photo (in landscape mode).
1.Name:
2.Location:
3.What I love about being a Local Guide:
4.My favorite thing to explore:
5.Fun Fact about me:
A landscape photo of you with a brief description.
I also wanted to recommend to you, check Read first! Connect community guidelines for more information on Connect redesign FAQ: Your questions answered!,
& You can also Visit Community guidelines page for in-depth resources on the Connect features.
and many more 
Thank you
This is my connect account where I help and ask questions
Google Maps Profile 
Useful link for Greece?! 
, Greek people using wikipedia, see this, Ask questions related to Greece, I surely know (Google maps related ONLY!!)
Hello @nvg_localg
A warm welcome to Local Guides Connect 
Please share your introduction as below:
1.Name:
2.Location:
3.What I love about being a Local Guide:
4.My favorite thing to explore:
5.Fun Fact about me:
Also, please check:
• Read First: Connect community guidelines.
• Connect FAQ: Your questions answered..
Thank you
Hi @sanyadesai, @Rohit_Pal, @ashique.uk, @ramil, @Denny_Lim, @100mumbai, @faayiz, @Oluwatobi, @BobbyRoy, @Steemer, @sharczar, @CLynn, @kajiindonesia, @stonkin10, @7Miguel, @vikasgupta001, @Nisarg-07, @sadiquealisayyed1092, @samira54, @EviLEwoK, @Elisahir, @Shadhin_Hasan, @cesar1112, @abn.amri, @Yocoba, @avolu_theluo, @Crankyoldgeezer, @Sisca_Nuning, @Dpd2901, @Romina_Emme, @Sandymba, and @jhonsandra a warm welcome to Local Guides Connect! 
Congratulations to everyone on your badge reward! A special shoutout to @Rohit_Pal, @kajiindonesia, @samira54, and @Crankyoldgeezer for the reward of 3 badges ‘New Friend’, ‘Newly Popular’ and ‘New Writer’.
Since January 2025, we have been celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Local Guides Program and the 20th anniversary of Google Maps. You have joined Connect at a significant milestone!
So let us celebrate together! Get started with these exciting activities:
Want to know how to write your post? Check out this helpful guide: New to Connect? Try Using # for Headings
Introduce yourself 
I recommend reviewing the guidelines in the main ‘Introduce Yourself’ post if you’d like a chance to be featured in an upcoming months main post Introduce Yourself — June 2025
Attend Meetups Connect with fellow Local Guides
Take Part in Ongoing Activities This Month's Challenges at a Glance
If you’re from India, don’t forget to subscribe to the Local Guides WhatsApp Channel—link in the post!
You’re welcome to explore the tutorial available on the tutorial on the Community Guidelines page.
Let’s get to know you!
How did you discover Local Guides Connect?
Keep exploring, keep sharing, and keep guiding! 
Welcome Back and Congratulations!
Hello @Pajamatraveller, @ayapapa1210, @ViVickieN, @TRManjunath, @MomentsNotice, @Drumond, @SasminiBandara, @reebachi, @Denis.D, @onkelrocco, and @Klaus124 a big shoutout to each of you for the reward of ‘New Friend’ badge on Local Guides Connect! 
Even if you’ve been part of Connect earlier, it’s always a joy to see you engaging—your first like is a small step that makes a big impact!
Whether you’ve just returned after a break or are exploring Connect more deeply now, we’re glad to have you here. Connect is not just a platform—it’s a community, and every interaction counts.
Since 2025 marks a double celebration— 10 years of the Local Guides Program and 20 years of Google Maps —your renewed engagement couldn’t have come at a better time!
Here are some ways to keep the momentum going:
Introduce Yourself: If you haven’t introduced yourself yet, jump into the June, 2025 ‘Introduce Yourself’ thread. Attend Meetups: Find or host virtual/in-person events to connect with other LGs. Join Challenges: Check out This Month’s Challenges and take part in the celebration! Explore the Photo Booth: Add your smile to the Local Guides anniversary photo booth.
If you’re from India, don’t forget to subscribe to the Local Guides WhatsApp Channel—link in the post!
Welcome back, and here’s to more milestones ahead!
Let’s keep guiding, keep connecting, and keep the spirit alive!
Hey @Nurul_Hasnat , glad to meet you here. And, it was amazing reading your Intro. I’m always amazed by how awesome this community of Local Guides is. Super glad to meet you. 
@MoniDi ¡Saludos a todos en la comunidad!
Mi nombre es Gabriel, soy de Ecuador y tengo 25 años.
Lo que más disfruto de ser Local Guide es poder apoyar a nuevos emprendimientos compartiendo reseñas y fotos, y así ayudar a otras personas a decidir qué lugar visitar.
Aquí en Ecuador, la mayoría de personas utiliza Google Maps principalmente para orientarse y encontrar rutas. Aunque aún no somos muchos los que contribuimos activamente con reseñas, cada vez se suman más personas a esta gran comunidad de Local Guides.
Es un gusto poder compartir esta experiencia con todos ustedes. ¡Un saludo cordial desde Ecuador!
@MoniDi Greetings to everyone in the community!
My name is Gabriel, I’m from Ecuador and I’m 25 years old.
What I enjoy most about being a Local Guide is supporting new businesses by sharing reviews and photos, helping others decide which places to visit.
Here in Ecuador, most people use Google Maps mainly to find directions. While not many of us actively contribute with reviews yet, more and more people are joining this amazing Local Guides community.
It’s a pleasure to share this experience with all of you. Warm greetings from Ecuador! 
Hi @Yulochka !
Wow, your introduction is truly inspiring! Your passion for helping others, discovering hidden gems, and contributing to Maps with care really shines through. 
Reaching Level 8 is a huge achievement — not just in numbers, but in impact. Your dedication over the years is something to be proud of. 
I also loved how you mentioned small towns — I feel the same! They often hold the most beautiful and unexpected stories. 
Wishing you all the best in your dream to attend an official Local Guides event — and who knows? Google HQ might be just around the corner! 
Looking forward to seeing more of your amazing contributions!
Warm greetings from Sri Lanka 
– Nava
@SharmaK Thank you so much for this warm and motivating message! 
It’s true — even a small “like” can be the beginning of something meaningful. I’m happy to be part of this wonderful community again, especially during such a special year!
10 years of Local Guides and 20 years of Google Maps — what an amazing journey we’re all part of!
Looking forward to exploring more, connecting with fellow guides, and contributing with even more energy!
Let’s keep the spirit alive — one step, one smile, one map update at a time! 
Cheers from Sri Lanka
– Nava
Hi Nava!!!
Thank you so much for your kind and heartfelt words! 
Your message truly made my day.
I’m so happy you feel the same way about small towns — they really are full of charm, surprises, and wonderful people.
Reaching Level 8 has been such an exciting journey, and hearing support from fellow Local Guides like you means a lot to me.
I also wish you all the best in your journey, and maybe we’ll meet one day at a Local Guides event — who knows, maybe even at Google HQ!
Sending warm greetings back to beautiful Sri Lanka!
With gratitude,
Yulia
Hi everyone, I’m Navaneethan from Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
I love sharing peaceful beaches, cultural spots, local food places and spiritual landmarks through Google Maps.
Being a Level 7 Local Guide, I hope to promote Sri Lanka’s natural and cultural beauty to the world.
I’m happy to connect with guides from around the globe!
Fun fact: My hometown has sunrise views with deer walking along the shores 
Looking forward to discovering and learning with all of you!
#LocalGuides #SriLanka #Trincomalee #HiddenGems #LocalCulture #SustainableTravel
Hi @Nava .. welcome to Connect! Thank you for introducing yourself and share beautiful photo of Rock Bunker in your hometown.
I’d like to inform you that I’m merging your post to our monthly feature Introduce Yourself — June 2025 . Here in this post, you can meet local guides from around the world and have more fun in Connect. Hope to see more wonderful posts from you..
Cheers,
Thank you so much, Yulia! Your words truly mean a lot. Wishing you all the best too!
