After analyzing many options, I concluded that one of the things that fascinates me most of being Local Guide is to be able to show through this platform everything that is different from my country. It is incredible to be able to help my country to be seen from a different point of view and in greater depth, in front of the eyes of the more than millions of Google Maps users.
This year Bolivia, worldwide, is ranked 13th in terms of Internet penetration in its population with an increase of 36%. However, even so, it is at a low level in terms of internet use. Additionally, during different work experiences I was able to detect a non-quantifiable factor in the use of the internet in my country. There is a digital divide; but related to culture and education. Many people do not know the benefits of different platforms that can help them for different situations. Showing a country and its context, indirectly, helps in its growth.
Due to geographic and contextual problems, many places and cultural events, which are part of my country, are not fully known. As a result of my work as a photographer and reporter in a magazine and my adventurous instinct, characteristic of a Local Guide, I could witness this. The possibility of moving from one place to another allowed me to capture these facts and being a Local Guide allowed me to show a little of those adventures to the world, unknown in many cases. For this reason, I like to share most as Local Guide are those places and moments that are not well known by the world and that Bolivia enjoys them. I always agreed with the phrase of the French biologist Alcides D’orbigni: “Bolivia is the synthesis of the cosmos.” Bolivia within its territory can show you the whole world. From a sea of salt, through the snowy mountain ranges, valleys and even part of one of the most important “lungs” on the planet, called Amazonía. However, I see important to know and especially show every detail of this planet called Bolivia and the Google Maps platform is very helpful in this goal.
My profession gave me the possibility to understand that the image is worth a thousand words. That’s why photography is my favorite element to share my adventures in Bolivia as Local Guide. However, the failures in the connection within many places, makes my actions a bit difficult. In spite of this, receiving an email from Google showing me statistics of the number of people who saw my photos is an incomparable joy, because I know that at least a thousand more people in the world already know a bit more of this beautiful country.
It is very likely that my choice when thinking about what I like to share as Local Guide is very generic; but I think that this is the most important reason that drives me to grow on this platform. My work, my situation, my experiences and my personality are what led me to make the decision to choose this answer. I think that an important part of being a Local Guide is exactly that “Guide” to users of the world in possible adventures that they decide to undertake. Therefore, what I like most about being a Local Guide is to share those unknown details, hidden places, unthinkable adventures and the experiences that exist in Bolivia, to guide the eyes of the world towards the beauty of my country.
