Hello friends,
Today’s post is a little unusual from my side . Some friends may find it off topic, but I have no platform better than Local Guides Connect to express what I truly feel. This place is our home, This is where our hearts meet.
I want to thank all of you, from the deepest corner of my heart. Do you know why?
Because the love and respect you have given me is something a simple thank you can never cover. If there was a word bigger than thank you, I would use it without thinking.
Let me tell you why I am saying all this.
Many of you know that I recently traveled to Mauritius and Kenya. My stay in Mauritius was 6 days longer, and Kenya was almost a one day trip.
The journey was short, but the love I received was beyond anything I expected.
Let me start from Mauritius.
Mauritius is not just a country for me. It feels like home. My bond with this beautiful Island is almost eighteen years old. My first visit was in 2007 with a friend, then again in 2008 with my family. Since then, Mauritius stayed in my heart like an old memory that never fades.
And from that time, my friendship with Local Guide, Accessibility Champion, Bangalore Connect Live attendee, and the only Mauritian representative on Connect, @SwetaDhondoo , began. A friendship that stood strong for eighteen years.
So after 18 years, when I reached Mauritius again, Sweta & her family welcomed me at the airport. We used to meet on messenger Chats and virtually, but meeting her and her family in-person after such a long time was special.
You can imagine the level of hospitality when this amazing Local Guide Sweta hosted me in her own home. Not only the stay, she and her family treated me throughout the trip with delicious homemade Mauritian dishes.
The most important gift was the precious time she gave me, taking me to many beautiful places in Mauritius. You will soon read the stories from these visits here on Connect.
I hope that just like me, once you visit Mauritius even once, you will fall in love with this wonderful place. Along with this, Sweta and her family gave me many gifts and I am very grateful to her for that.
This is why I love Local Guides Connect so much. We care for each other without counting borders, languages, race or religion. We treat each other like family.
Mauritius reminded me of this truth again.
And let me tell you something more,
My trip to Mauritius was very important for me. This time I did not travel like a usual Pakistani tourist, the way I did on my previous two visits, when the goal was only beaches or boat trips. This time I wanted to explore the real Mauritius and taste its food. Six days were not enough for such a plan and I knew that. Still, whatever I managed to see made one thing very clear to me. I have only just started to discover the real Mauritius.
I saw only a few places. I passed many spots where I wanted to stop and explore, but the limited time did not allow it. You will understand this beautiful country better in my upcoming posts. I am sure that once you visit Mauritius even one time, you will want to return again.
My Indian friends will find it even easier. There is no visa restriction. There are direct flights. Tickets stay affordable, especially if you travel during the Indian summer season. If you enjoy driving and road trips, Mauritius will feel ideal for you
How did I get these beautiful gifts ?
Because of the unfortunate issues between India and Pakistan, sending gifts directly by post is difficult.
As they ( My Indian friends) all know, Sweta will be attending Connect Live Bangalore 2025 from Mauritius.
So my Indian friends took full advantage of this golden opportunity saying “No problem, we will send everything through Sweta.”
And what a surprise it was!
The gifts were not small. They were not light. The whole bag was at least four kilograms.
Four kilograms of love 
. Thanks again to Sweta for carrying them to Mauritius for me:folded_hands:t3:
Every gift touched my heart. Let me thank each one of you properly.
@SonamW sent a beautiful stamp and a tea table mat. Such a lovely souvenir. At first I totally missed it because it was hidden inside a book, but thanks to Sweta, it was found.
@Gurukrishnapriya sent amazing Japanese origami flowers and a Tamil Nadu Local Guides wrist band. All very beautiful.
@Shrut19 sent a Mumbai fridge magnet and a sticker for her brother. They are already on the door of my fridge at home, shining proud.
There were more gifts in the packet. I do not know their senders. If you can identify them from the picture, please tell me in the comments. I would love to mention your name in the post with proper gratitude.
@RosyKohli your gifts were full of love. Every item felt like something an elder sister gives with care. The spices, the cultural souvenirs, everything carried the fragrance of India. I tried many times to visit India in person, but it did not happen yet. If I had come, I would have experienced all these things with you.
My daughter loved your traditional souvenirs like jewelry boxes so much that she immediately claimed them.
@Globe_trotter_Ish sent two very cute gift packs with lovely souvenirs. Thank you Isha, I really love it.
@K.K.Sharma sahab, the sacred and precious gift you sent is kept safely. It carries your love.
@Kumaarsantosh Bhai, your book is one of the most meaningful gifts a Local Guide can receive. The message inside it is powerful. Thank you for this memorable gesture.
Hey Feli, @Velvel your cute keychains made me smile. If they were real noodles, I would have been even happier. 
Dear @SalmaanN , your chocolate box was full of sweetness. This was a big effort from your side to send me your love, and I want to say your gift was perfect. I will enjoy it for many days. It carries both your sincerity and your sweetness.
@TusharSuradkar Bhai, the cup you sent from India Local Guides was very special. Thank you and your entire team for this loving gesture.
To my dear friends
@NareshDarji Bhai
@Tejal Behen
@AnshukMitra
@KetanChhaniyara
@Premalpatel
@PrinceKumar Bhai
@Dr.KushShah
I received your gifts with love. But what touched my heart the most were your words.
You wrote, “We missed you at Connect Live Bangalore 2025.”
These simple words made me emotional. Thank you for remembering me at such an important moment.
@TravellerG Sahab, your gifts carried sincerity, prayers, spirituality and kindness.
The beautiful wooden plaque you sent will be placed at our entrance. Every time I enter my home, I will remember you.
My daughter has already requested the color coded verses of the Quran, and I will send them to her soon.
We will remember you in our prayers.
Dear @Zuhralc
My Kenya visit was short, but thanks to you, it became memorable. In such a short time, you showed me so many places. I am grateful for your company and your gifts.
Now, to all my friends I want to say one last thing.
Yes, the gifts matter. They carry meaning.
But something matters even more.
You remembered me.
You prayed for me.
You sent love from so many miles away.
You filled my heart with joy.
For this, I will remain grateful forever.
If I missed anyone’s name or placed it in the wrong place, please forgive me. Tell me in the comments or in a private message. I will happily update the post and tag you.
Thank you,
Shukriya 
Kashif Misidia
Its means you enjoyed a lot during your Trip with amazing people’s of local guide’s who care each other much. 
.
from so many people.
I guess that’s called experienced Connect moderator 
I am glad you like your 3rd stay, it was a pleasure having you here 
… eligible to vote 
and thats why we behaved like teenagers 
