Since I knew Local Guides Program can take me to the United States of America, my dreamland, I am getting excited to improve my level. As an Indonesia passport holder, getting America’s visa is quite tricky and costly.
I do not know how and when I will fly to the most influential country in the world. I have some plans if I can make it to the USA with Connect Live. One of them is I will extend my trip. Therefore, I am saving now.
I, actually, don’t really like being a person who always takes picture while visit some place, let alone captures the meals before eating them. That’s the reason why my level moves slowly. I mostly review my experiences without photos.
Then I realized that if I want to be paid to go the USA, one of ways is I need to increase my Local Guide level. It will make me be eligible to apply for Connect Live annually event in California.
Then I am obsessed to share all my travel stories on Google Maps. I force myself to take pictures wherever I go and whatever I eat.
Really, being Local Guides has shifted my travel habit. When I visit a place, especially a new one, I try to see and feel everything, such as the staff, visitor, decoration, hospitality, location, etc. Additionally when I am eating at restaurant, I pretend to be Michelin reviewer. I try to be sensitive about taste, service, and the ambiance of the room.
I used to take only few photos for my blog using camera. Now I take more photos for Google Maps using mobile phone. I am not good at photography, yet it doesn’t matter as long as I can collect points by writing down unique, detail, and informative reviews.
That’s the Local Guides program means to me.