[#RECAP]: Gbagada/Soluyi GeoWalk

[SamKori]

Wow… I can’t possibly express how happy and fun-filled it was on Saturday 13th of April when I hosted my first GeoWalk Meet Up in Gbagada Lagos, Nigeria. I hadn’t been to any meet up so I had no prior experience but I hosted one anyway. Sometimes, we just have to do what we have to do irrespective of challenges.
I waited for the arrival of other Local Guides and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the first person who wore complete Google Local Guide attire - T-Shirt, face cap, spectacles and tag… He needed no introduction. He is one of the oracles of Local Guides in Nigeria - @SanyaOdare . To have such VIP as the first person to arrive says a lot about successful people

Other people arrived and we were about seven in attendance. It was adventurous meeting new people of like minds who share so much love with one another.

We all shared our experience and learned from each other. A level one local guide was in attendance and it was a thrilling experience for her.

We marched into the streets and started snapping pictures of business places and added them to the map. We did reviews with pictures and videos. We discovered new businesses we weren’t aware of.

Another funny experience is the constant interrogation we faced from business owners. We were challenged and questioned at every point when we raise our phones to snap pictures. We had to keep explaining from place to place that we are Google Local Guides who are updating the Google Map.

But we eventually became friends with few business owners who were hostile at first but became accommodating after explanation. We made them feel that they ought to thank us for putting their businesses on the Maps thereby making them feel indebted, so they eventually thanked us.

After spending about three hours walking and snapping and mapping the desired area, we returned to a Sweet Sensation restaurant and have some light refreshment.

I shall write tips for hosting Meet Up for first timers.

To have a feel of our experience, view the photo album here https://bit.ly/2ICwZZ9

Thanks for your time, love and contribution @SanyaOdare @Chydeemma @Anwuli @Adebambo @AustinCO and co., hope to meet you in any of the next meet up gathering.

[SanyaOdare]

Thank you @SamKori forfor your compliments and kind words. I enjoyed every moment of your meet-up. Your passion for making contributions #OnGoogleMaps is worthy of emulation. Keep it up man! Kudos to @AustinCO @Chydeemma @Nneoma @Anwuli and @Adebambo, whose presence added colour to the meet-up as well.

[Adebambo]

Thanks for hosting us @SamKori . I was thrilled to go back my old neighbourhood to observe all the changes in structures as well as new businesses. The experience was exciting as Diya Street has been given a face-lift with the amazing Deeper Life Church building. Looking forward to more meetups with you.

[Lelekena]

Hey there,

Congratulations on hosting your first meetup - glad it was fun

I am still beating myself for missing this, you were right in my hood and mapping places I have wanted to do properly - might be time I hosted it again, lol!!

The joys of mapping are unlimited.

Keep it up and have fun

[SamKori]

Oh sorry for being absent, we would have been too happy to meet you. If you are in my hood, we can meet informally and connect and probably plan the next meet up together. I will be glad to connect with you if that is convenient for you.

[EmekaUlor]

Congratulations on your first meetup. I can see you had fun. looking forward to more.

cheers

[Anwuli]

Lovely experience it was… Thanks for hosting us

[AustinCO]

it was nice meeting @SamKori , your zeal and courage to host a meetup even without knowing if someone would show up was phenomenal. keep up with the good work.

it was nice connecting with @Anwuli , @Chydeemma , @Adebambo and of course @SanyaOdare

[SamKori]

Yeah we had fun. It was interesting meeting new people who still rapport like old friends.

Thanks