Hi everyone! Welcome to Local Guides Connect. Please take a moment to introduce yourself to our community.
As “Introduce Yourself” threads can be lengthy, we start a new one each month and lock past threads. You can check previous threads, like May’s, to see who recently joined and where they’re from. We’ll merge any “I’m new” and “Hello world” posts we find elsewhere with this thread to keep things organized.
Do you want to be featured in our monthly Introduce Yourself posts? Share your introduction in the comments, following the five prompts below, and a horizontal photo of yourself (in landscape mode). The best introductions will be considered for future Introduce Yourself posts. *Please note: Your response may be edited for clarity. By taking part in this challenge, you agree to allow us to share your answers and photo(s) publicly here on Connect.*
This month, meet @Flypinguim! @Flypinguim is a Local Guide Level 8, and here’s what he shared.
1. Name: Paulo Sampaio
2. Location: Porto, Portugal
3. What led you to become a Local Guide: Growing up in Porto and living by the sea in Leça da Palmeira, I’ve always been surrounded by places full of character — from small cafés with generations of history to restaurants that locals quietly consider “the best kept secrets.”
Over time, I realized that many of these places don’t truly exist online in the way they deserve. Some are hard to find, others are poorly represented, and many miss the opportunity to show what makes them special.
I became a Local Guide because I felt I could help tell those stories. Not just by leaving reviews, but by capturing the essence of each place — the atmosphere, the people, the details that make someone want to go there. For me, it’s about giving visibility to what might otherwise go unnoticed.
4. My favorite thing to explore: I love discovering places that have identity — whether it’s a cozy brunch spot, a traditional restaurant, or a hidden gem by the ocean.
Some of my favorite moments are unplanned: finding a small place with amazing food, great service, and almost no digital presence. Those are the ones I enjoy sharing the most, because I know my contribution can genuinely make a difference.
I also enjoy revisiting places at different times — seeing how they evolve, how the experience changes, and capturing that through photos and honest feedback.
5. Fun fact about me: Sunsets by the ocean are my reset button. Living in Leça da Palmeira, I often find myself going down to the beach at the end of the day — and yes, many times I end up reviewing a place right after. 
Also, I have a habit of taking “just one photo”… and leaving with fifty. Once I start noticing details, it’s hard to stop.
Nice to meet you, @Flypinguim! Local Guides, don’t miss the chance to say hi to @Flypinguim in the comments below and share your introduction, too.
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& it’s the reason we are contributing valuable information on Google Maps.
eu adoro o mar mesmo que more longe dele
