I first became a Google Local Guide when I was visiting Udonthani, a small town in Northeastern Thailand, and suddenly my phone asked if I wanted to upload my photos to Google Maps. At the time I didn’t know what to think, so I figured ‘why not?’, although I have been an active member of the community since then.
I have always loved traveling, and I try to visit new places around the world whenever I get the chance to do so. I feel the world is too big and exciting to stay in one place your whole life, so I want to travel as much as possible, and I always try to encourage others to do the same. Being a local guide has provided me with a way to do so, since I can leave reviews and photos anywhere I go in the world, sharing my experiences with anyone who is interested. Whenever I find a unique and interesting place, typically a small independent business like a unique restaurant, bar, or cafe, I also get to bring further attention to it, and in doing so hopefully helping the small business-owners attract new customers.
Being a local guide has also provided me with an effective way of saving precious memories from my many travels.
I admit I haven’t been very active in the more directly social aspects of being a local guide, but visiting localguidesconnect.com has made me realize how many more opportunities like this exist. I hope I will have the opportunity to join the Connect Live event 2019, or similar events in the future, but for now, I simply enjoy life as an expat and a nomad, and being a Local Guide has provided me with more ways of doing so.