Know your city and the Local Guides Program thanks to a Meet-Up

[raffaele_guidolin]

The most interesting thing I have done as a Local Guide is … getting to know my city.

In fact, in November 2019 I attended two Meet-Ups organized by @ermest in Treviso; this was not only the opportunity to meet other people who share the same interests, but also to take an interesting guided tour in Treviso

The appointment for the first Photowal Meet Up was at Porta San Tommaso, just a kilometer from my home. This Meet-Up, so close to my home, has changed the way I look at the world of Google Local Guides.

Change of perspective

I have always believed that my participation in the Local Guide program was aimed (and limited) at improving Google Maps. In other words, in my opinion to be a Local Guide meant just to contribute to developing Google Maps in order to help users to make the best decisions in real-time about where to go and what to do.

After the Treviso Meet-Ups (and CL2019) I fully realized that the scope of Local Guides program is broader. It is also to connect people with same interests and to make new friends.

In those days I discovered how spread, big and developed is the network of the meet-ups!

Visiting Treviso

As anticipated, during the Treviso 360 Photowalk I made a beautiful tour of the city of Treviso. @ErmesT accompanied us to the most interesting points of the city, following a well-designed itinerary, providing a perfect mix of historical news and anecdotes that only those who live and love their city can know.

When someone comes to visit me, I will do the same tour in order to show them Treviso!

If you are interested, more info can be read in the official recaps by @ErmesT : the first photowalk held on Saturday is described in this post, the recap of the second photowalk (held on Sunday) can be read here.

Due to family duties, I could not attend the Wine Meet on Saturday evening. However the evening before I had a lot of fun having dinner and taking photo of Treviso at night with @KarolT and @Stella2 in a sort of a pre meet-up.

Next Meet-Up

I liked the Meet-Up experience so much that I had also planned to take my family to the Lucca Meet-Up organized by @LuigiZ in order to visit the city and introduce other local guides to my wife and children. Unfortunately, the Lucca Meet Up has been canceled due to the coronavirus.

As soon as I have the opportunity, I will try again to take my family to a Meet Up. Which, however, should not be too difficult for me (even though there are 5 of us in our family) since I am the proud owner of a campervan and, therefore, travel and accommodation are not a big issue.

[ErmesT]

Hey, @raffaele_guidolin

I am so glad that you enjoyed our meet-ups.

For me too, I had the same experience.

When I started to be a local guide, I also started, my eyes wide open, to look at my city on a completely different way.

Discovering hidden places, small shops and business, and reviewing them, I increased on an exponential way my knowledge of the city where we live. This is one of the hidden benefits of becoming a local guide or, recalling the original name of the program, a city expert.

I love your last photo, amazing

[LuigiZ]

Ciao @raffaele_guidolin ,

nice and true story. I think what you write is mostly what everyone will start feeling at the beginning until you get to know about the community which is behind the Local Guides program: the Local Guides family… and this is something simply amazing.

I also enjoyed spending time with you at CL2019 and in Treviso where we met your little and beautiful daughter . No worries about the meetup in Lucca because we will organize it again when this situation will be behind us, I’ll wait for your complete family to come .

Good luck and hope to see you soon!

[raffaele_guidolin]

Thank you @ErmesT and @LuigiZ .

I hope the coronavirus crisis finishes as soon as possibile and to meet you again soon.

[KarolT]

Hi @raffaele_guidolin

Thanks for remembering this beautiful meetup in Treviso.

I hope You are helthy and stay with your family at home. Greatings to your daughter.

Here is my last app. post for connect live:

https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/What-does-the-Local-Guides-program-mean-to-me/td-p/2335730#.XnurB9zK3UY.gmail

Regards from Slovakia.

Karol

[raffaele_guidolin]

Hi @KarolT , we are fine, thanks.

I have read your post, really interesting. Good luck with your application, even if I am worried that Cl2020 will be cancelled.

[KarolT]

Hi @raffaele_guidolin

I hope CL will not be cancelled…

Have nice evening.

Karol