I’m Sooyeon Pyo from South Korea. I’m glad to write my first post on Local Stories. I chose the topic to write a story : What does the Local Guides program mean to you?
I’d like to confess a thing first. Actually I was a coward at the time I didn’t know Google Maps well. I’ve had questions people on the street or friends to find my destination. It was a dark period. I was eager to be free that’s when travel the world but it was impossible.
However I planned a working-holiday in Berlin, Germany at 2018. Because I needed the confidence to face unexpected situation. So I decided to make my own way. Unfortunately there were no friends and any other people who could help me. I had only a smart phone.
I never imagined a software becoming a good buddy, but Google Maps broke the common sense. Maps gave me questions whenever I was alone in the city. ‘How was the restaurant?’, ‘Please share your experience’… and I’ve enjoyed to answer my new buddy. 
The answers wasn’t only own records but also the chance to be a Local Guide. I was able to be a Level 5 because it was happy to share my thoughts.
Since I recognized the Local Guides program, I could have confidence. I’m a coward no more, but a explorer now. The program gave me a pride. I’m still writing the review even though I was back to Korea last year.
Local Guides program is a friend who make me bright, and confident!
