It was about 6 months ago when I first find out about “Local Guides”. I was quite intrigued by the concept as an all-time traveler, but it was also intimidating. To be honest, I could only imagine the great things that other people were doing here. A couple of months later, I was looking for a place on Google Maps and it asked me if I wanted to contribute. I have timidly added a comment. Then, a list of places that I have visited that year popped up on my screen ! The application again asked me if I wanted to contribute and I felt an irresistible urge to comment.
I started adding comments, ratings and photos. From Slovenian Alps to Berlin Wall…
From historical museums of Turkey to Balkans…
From Central Park of New York to the Hollywood of Los Angeles…
I knew that I had travelled that year a lot, but I had never imagined how it would look on a map. As I was adding comments about my favorite restaurants and cafes, hiking trails which I had seen the most amazing sunsets of my life, the museums, the churhces,etc and my favorite photos of that places, I felt amazing ! It was kind of like reading my own diary or my travel journal. The only difference that I was sharing it with people who have the same interests as me, which was making it even more joyful for me ! That day onwards, I have started to contribute to this beautiful community and I am a proud member of it, ever since. I always pay attention to keep up the work by adding more local places in Istanbul where I currently live.
Although, I have a confession to make: sometimes, I still wait until I’ve couple of places to contribute so that I can binge comment again. Because, the binge commenting is the most interesting thing I’ve done as a Local Guide!