@Profa_Gutierrez Hola, paisana!!! Soy Cuicani, de Ciudad de México! Gusto en conocerte.
@cuicani Ahh ! Muss ich uebersehen haben zu loeschen -.- Am Ende wird einfach immer alles copy|paste von ‘Visual-Studio-Code’ uebernommen. (Da schreib ich alles auf. Denn Freunde werden ich und das ultra kleinen ‘Markdown’-Feld hier im Forum nicht! ^^)
Kannst du auch Italienisch sprechen?
Franzoesich koennte ich ~gebrochen - Ansonsten kann ich noch mit Klingonisch dienen 
2 Likes
auch so das ist schön
@cuicani Gruess dich! Und danke fuer die ‘Willkommenheissung’ - Mexikostadt, wird doch auch fliessend Hochdeutsch gesprochen? 
- Nein, Spass. Native Deutsch? Oder einfach ein Sprachtalent?
1 Like
Hi my new Locies-Friends,
Will TRY to DELETE this - Right now there is an error-message popping up –> Could it be down to the 10,000 open browser tabs? – Well, what else is 256GB of RAM for… If it’s not gone 2h after i post this @admins DEL it without hesitation
I will try to what @Ivi_Ge wrote - I’ll try to do the best I can!
A landscape photo of me(in landscape format) – That was the trickiest bit! – Having been a Local Guide on Google Maps for a good eight years now, I was told right at the start: “Google Maps processes portrait photos better.” – Since then, I’ve NEVER taken a landscape photo again!
Extra-Fresh-Created!
And after ‘introduceing’ i have maybe 2|3|4 gmaps-related questions!
1. Name: Gian-Luca Sozzi or within gMaps ‘Handy Handy’
2. Location: Fuerstentum Liechtenstein
3. What led you to become a Local Guide:
To be perfectly honest: it stemmed from a rather absurd moment in my life.
I’d been driving for over 15years – and then, from one day to the next, it was suddenly all over. My driving licence gone, completely immobile, a total breakdown in my daily routine. In hindsight, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the police.
So I dragged my bike out of hibernation, blew the dust off, pumped up the tyres and set off, just to clear my head.
But I had a problem: riding aimlessly around the area is pretty much the last thing I like. Just ‘cycling about’? Pointless? Not my thing. My brain wanted a mission, a purpose, a little digital adventure. So I thought about what I could do at the same time whilst out and about – something that combines discovery, documentation and that wonderfully nerdy feeling of leaving your mark on the world.
I’d already written a few reviews on Google Maps before. And then came that moment, as if a whole server cabinet had fallen from the sky onto my head:
Of course. Maps.
After a bit of research, I stumbled across the Local Guides programme – and back then there was even that 360° photo tool right in Maps. That thing where you took several photos all around you and the app turned them into a little spherical world. I was completely hooked from the very first second. At the start, it used to take 4–5 minutes to take a 360° photo – by the end, we knew exactly how long to focus on each point and where they were. I could take the 360° photos BLIND! A minute per photo felt slow! 
From then on, I was never just interested in classic hotspots or the hundredth review for some trendy shop. I was drawn to something completely different: making places visible that nobody else has on their radar. The small, unassuming spots in everyday life. Bus stops. Petrol stations. A fountain with one or two benches around it. The odd interior design of a discount store. These strangely fascinating mini-spots for local recreation in the middle of nowhere. (and just for clearify: In my country there are freaking many of such things!)
In short: viewed objectively, perhaps complete ‘useless bullshit’ – but for me, that was exactly the fun of it.
I didn’t just want to consume, I wanted to map. Not just be somewhere, but leave my mark, provide a sense of direction and document things that would otherwise fall through the cracks. Reviews, photos and ratings were naturally part of it – but my real motivation was that feeling of filling in little white spots on Google Maps and imbuing even the most random place with meaning.
And yes – that’s how I got hooked.
In the best possible way.
The side effect: it’s also a brilliant icebreaker on dates, by the way. When the question comes up: “So, what are your hobbies?”, I sometimes say:
“Erm… I document and review bus stops on Google Maps.”
At first, people laugh because nobody believes me. Then I laugh along with them, show them my profile – and suddenly it’s no longer just a joke, but a rather unique story.
For me, being a Local Guide is therefore more than just writing reviews. It’s a mix of a thirst for discovery, a digital collector’s instinct, everyday archaeology and the joy of making even the most inconspicuous places in the world visible.
4. My favorite thing to explore:
Ganz klar: mein eigenes Land – Liechtenstein.
Und genau da fängt der ganze Reiz schon an, weil dieses Land auf dem Papier fast wie ein geografischer Glitch wirkt: rund 160 km², knapp 40’000 Einwohner und gerade mal 11 Gemeinden.
Für viele wäre das vermutlich viel zu klein, um spannend zu sein. Es ist auch 'holy-omega-freaking-ultra-langweilig hier!
Für mich ist genau das der Jackpot. Denn wenn ein Land so kompakt ist, fängt man an, nicht nur die großen Dinge zu sehen, sondern vor allem die kleinen. Und genau auf die habe ich es abgesehen.
Mich interessieren nicht in erster Linie die offensichtlichen Klassiker, die sowieso jeder kennt und fotografiert. Mich ziehen die Orte an, bei denen man auf den ersten Blick eher denkt:
„Moment … warum existiert dazu überhaupt ein Eintrag auf Maps?“
Und genau deshalb liebe ich sie.
Ich erkunde Bushaltestellen, einzelne Sitzbänke mitten in der Natur, Trinkbrunnen, kleine Wegpunkte, seltsame Mini-Orte, die irgendwo zwischen Alltag, Zufall und kompletter digitaler Überdokumentation schweben.
Orte, die für viele komplett belanglos wirken – für mich aber genau den Charme ausmachen. Ich mag dieses Unspektakuläre. Dieses Schräge. Dieses „eigentlich total unnötig, aber gerade deshalb faszinierend“.
Liechtenstein ist dafür wie gemacht.
Nicht riesig, nicht überladen, nicht unendlich kompliziert – sondern genau die richtige Bühne für solche Mikro-Entdeckungen. Man ist schnell draußen, schnell an einem neuen Punkt, schnell an irgendeiner Ecke, an der plötzlich wieder so ein herrlich absurder Ort auftaucht, den man auf Google Maps niemals erwarten würde. Und genau dann wird’s interessant.
Dazu kommt: Ich bin nachtaktiv.
Und deshalb gehört für mich auch ein ganz bestimmter Look zu meinen liebsten Erkundungen: Nachtbilder mit Sternenhimmel. Wenn alles ruhiger wird, wenn Straßen leerer sind, wenn Lichtquellen und Dunkelheit anfangen, ihre eigene Atmosphäre zu bauen – dann bekommen selbst die unscheinbarsten Orte plötzlich etwas fast Surreales. Eine einfache Sitzbank ist dann nicht mehr einfach nur eine Sitzbank. Ein Brunnen ist nicht nur ein Brunnen. Eine Bushaltestelle wirkt plötzlich wie eine kleine Bühne irgendwo zwischen Provinz, Kosmos und kompletter Maps-Magie.
Genau das erkunde ich am liebsten:
nicht die lauten Sehenswürdigkeiten, sondern die stillen, schrägen, unterschätzten Details. Die Orte, an denen andere vorbeigehen würden – und bei denen ich denke:
„Ja. Exakt DAS gehört auf die Karte.“
It’s clear: my own country – Liechtenstein.
And that’s exactly where the appeal begins, because on paper this country almost seems like a geographical glitch: around 160 km², just under 40,000 inhabitants and a mere 11 municipalities.
For many, that would probably be far too small to be exciting. It’s also ‘holy-omega-freaking-ultra-boring’ here!
For me, that’s exactly the jackpot. Because when a country is so compact, you start to see not just the big things, but above all the small ones. And that’s exactly what I’m after.
I’m not primarily interested in the obvious classics that everyone knows and photographs anyway. I’m drawn to the places where, at first glance, you tend to think:
“Hang on… why is there even a pin for this on Maps?”
And that’s exactly why I love them.
I explore bus stops, solitary benches in the middle of nature, drinking fountains, little waypoints, strange mini-places that hover somewhere between everyday life, chance and complete digital over-documentation.
Places that seem completely insignificant to many – but for me, that’s exactly what makes them charming. I like this unspectacular quality. This quirkiness. This “actually totally unnecessary, but fascinating precisely because of that”.
Liechtenstein is made for this.
Not huge, not overloaded, not endlessly complicated – but exactly the right stage for such micro-discoveries. You’re out and about in no time, quickly at a new spot, quickly on some corner where suddenly another wonderfully absurd place pops up that you’d never expect to find on Google Maps. And that’s exactly when things get interesting.
What’s more: I’m a night owl.
And that’s why a very specific look is part of my favourite explorations: night-time shots with a starry sky. When everything quietens down, when the streets are emptier, when light sources and darkness begin to create their own atmosphere – then even the most unassuming places suddenly take on an almost surreal quality. A simple bench is then no longer just a bench. A fountain is not just a fountain. A bus stop suddenly feels like a small stage somewhere between the provinces, the cosmos and pure Maps magic.
That’s exactly what I love to explore:
not the noisy tourist attractions, but the quiet, quirky, underrated details. The places others would walk right past – and where I think:
“Yes. That’s exactly what belongs on the map.”
5. Fun fact about me:
I’m quite a spontaneous person and have a knack for turning ordinary moments into something funny on the spot. Thanks to my background in IT, I absolutely love reading and can therefore get to grips with many topics quickly.
I particularly enjoy discussions where I deliberately take an unexpected perspective. Not to provoke an argument, but because I find it exciting to break out of established patterns of thought and make conversations more interesting. Of course, it could also be simply that: "I just love to chat! About everything!
In short: I can turn almost any conversation into either a good laugh or a surprisingly good discussion – ideally both at the same time.
So long
Handy.Handy
3 Likes
Welcome to the community:)
1 Like
Hello @StreetFreakazoid and Welcome to Local Guides Connect.
I want to inform you that I’m merging your post to our monthly feature Introduce Yourself — March 2026 to you , where you can meet local guides from around the world.
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 
1 Like
Hey!
Thanks for the chance to connect with everyone.
I’m Steph, I was active on this years ago, like 2017-2020, it’s been a long time though.
Love travelling and exploring and meeting new people!
Have an awesome day
Thanks you sir 
.
I’m Anandha Kumar from Madurai
Woman is a symbol of power, she beautifies the home and society and when she is determined, even circumstances bow before her. 
1 Like
Hello @SONU7 and Welcome back to Local Guides Connect.
I want to inform you that I’m merging your post to our monthly feature Introduce Yourself — March 2026 to you , 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
Hello Guys
@Ivi_Ge elcome
Hi @JonasMayongeso, @JAQ, @Rizqihasan, @MayurJani, @IsaacAriass, @rankifyed, @arunkumarkun, @SONU7, @Nuramun25, and @bakerparkerr Congratulations on earning your New Friend Badge! 
A very warm welcome to Local Guides Connect — a wonderful platform to learn, share, and grow together as a community.
Looking forward to seeing your amazing contributions and connecting with you all!
To connect and explore what’s happening on Connect, you may find these posts useful:
- 2026: Local Guides Events & Experiences
If you want to attend a Local Guides event, it’s worth reading - Participate in Challenge: Create a “Local Heroines” list on Google Maps to win a Connect badge
- Introduce Yourself — March 2026
If you want to be featured in the monthly Introduce Yourself post, share your introduction in the comments with a horizontal photo (landscape mode), following the five prompts mentioned in this post - Forthcoming meet-ups
Join in-person meet-ups near you, as well as virtual and hybrid meet-ups, to learn more about and connect with your community.
Question for you:
Have you ever created a list on Google Maps earlier?
- Yes
- No
0
voters
Mapping Local, Creating Global
Hello to the whole Local Guides team! I’m here to introduce myself, as I’ve been part of the community for many years, posting reviews of great places, but I’ve never popped in here to meet you all before. I’m from Córdoba, in Spain. A city of beer, meat and potatoes, and fine wines. I work with the Google ecosystem, I’m a GBP product expert, and I help people with their business listings on Google Maps. It’s lovely to read your posts!!
3 Likes
Bienvenido! A la comunidad de Connect. Cuando pusiste Córdoba pensé que era una provincia Argentina jejejeje. Más que bienvenido y estamos para ayudarte a crecer en la comunidad 
.
Puedes presentarte a toda la comunidad en este Post de Introduce Yourself March 2026
Abrazo
1 Like
Hello @Midlhon and Welcome back to Local Guides Connect.
I want to inform you that I’m merging your post to our monthly feature Introduce Yourself — March 2026 to you , 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
Masjid muhajirin desa tebing kandang, ramah lingkungan
Hello @82victori01 and Welcome back to Local Guides Connect.
I want to inform you that I’m merging your post to our monthly feature Introduce Yourself — March 2026 to you , 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