Yeah, I think I may be a little late to talk about CL19. I just arrived from my vacation and you know… we take some time to realize what happened.
I’m still trying to understand everything. I have a photo of the last day with my friends at CL19, that I put beside my computer at work. Sometimes I see myself looking at this photo for minutes and thinking about everything that we experienced. And the only thing I can say about it is: THANKS. For everything and everyone.
I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t know anyone or anything about an event like this. I confess that I was a little scared. After reaching CL19 and seeing so many smiles and hugs I knew that it would be amazing. It’s really good to feel comfortable in a new place and you all made me feel that way. Since the beginning, you received me like I was already a friend.
I’d like to thank @NexusKC because she was the first person I met. She didn’t know me, but she invited me to lunch with her and other local guides. It may sound a simple gesture but I really appreciate this moment and the talk we had.
If I had to define CL19 in some words, I would say that “this was the place where everybody was in the same mood”. What I mean is, everybody was there expecting to find new friends, to learn, and to share. When you find people in the same mood as you, everything becomes easier. Imagine now, being in a place with another 199 people with the same expectations as you. It is impossible not to work.
It was incredible to be at Google and see people that I just saw in pictures here at connect. Thanks Googlers for receiving us with our crazy ideas. You’re always respectful and open to talk with us. It’s important to know that our work can help you in some way. Each contact I had was an opportunity to give and receive.
Congratulations to the organization team. You made a memorable event, it will be impossible to forget these days together. Every detail from pins and bags to buses and parties, you must be proud of all. I’m sure that it will be in our memories forever.
During this time I learned a lot about Google Maps and Local Guides. All the presentations were impressive and gave us an overview of how each one of us is important for the whole process. I saw many people who do more than reviews, these people are important to their communities. Yes, they build maps, but they also solve many problems like tourism and transportation. These people in some way inspired me to do more.
After all, I must confess that I can’t imagine CL19 without all the friends that I made. People who taught me things about Google, their reviews and tips of how to do it better. But also, people that taught me things about life, in a moment that I really needed to listen to some advice. You shared with me more than a photo or a review, you shared your life and I am sure that you helped me to start a new chapter of mine.
And I have to mention that with these friends, we had the best bus ever!
#teambrazil you rock! We turned the bus into a party 
Local guides from Italy, Belgium, Mexico, US, how many countries were inside that bus singing and dancing with us? Unbelievable!
I believe that this experience changed my life in many ways. Personally, as I told you, I made many friends and I learned new things that I will bring to my life. Professionally, as a Local Guide, I left CL19 more energetic than ever, and excited to do better in google maps. I want to help more people and to be a reason to be proud of.
Thanks you very much for this opportunity to learn more about google maps, and the opportunity to meet friends.
