Introduction
The Points, Photo Views and Star Photos leaderboards regularly posted here on Connect, each look at a specific but different aspect of our Maps contributions. Based on various metrics, including the number of points and the number of photo views, the participants on these leaderboards are listed without giving any consideration to their respective country location.
However, it goes without saying, Local Guides in smaller countries such as Barbados, Cameroon, Rwanda, or one where there are significantly less guiding opportunities, would have less chance of gaining enough points or photo views than those in larger countries such as the United States, Canada, France or UK and therefore, Local Guides in these smaller countries have less chance of getting onto the above mentione leaderboards!
Local Heroes > Local Stories
The leaderboards in this post, which follow on from those in the equivalent May 2023 post, are different because they specifically take into account the country location of the participating Local Guides and in this way, they give Local Guides from even the smallest countries (true local heroes) recognition and an opportunity to be seen as “stars” in their country, and you will see many are. There are many great local stories on the country leaderboards!
Together with their country flag, this month we have Local Guides featured from 78 different countries! If you’re a Local Hero or your country isn’t listed then it should be and you can make this happen by registering for participation on the leaderboards. It’s simple to do, just hit this link. If you want to know more see this excellent How-to post by @AZ_2021.
The Cover GIF and photos
Well it’s June already and there are several notable world celebrations that take place in June like World Environment Day (June 5), World Oceans Day (June 8), Juneteenth (June 19), International Day of Yoga (June 21) and Summer Solstice (June 20-21). These are just a few examples of world celebrations in June, and many more regional and cultural observances occur during this month as well.
Perhaps a less well known celebration, is the birthday of Marilyn Monroe, an American cultural icon who gained tremendous fame and, for many reasons, continues to be an enduring figure. Marilyn Monroe was born on June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles, California and died at the young age of 36 but her fame has endured long after her death. Her image and likeness continue to be widely recognized and celebrated, making her one of the most enduring and iconic figures in popular culture.
One thing that caught my eye when in Key West not so long ago, was a life-like statue of Marilyn Monroe in that infamous pose smiling as her white skirt is blown up by the blast from a subway vent. You simply can’t miss it. It’s right in front of the Tropic Cinema, in the heart of Key West’s Old Town. It’s a must see when you visit Key West.
Marilyn’s popularity and mystique endures! She is famous for many things including for example, her alleged affair with Pres. John F. Kennedy. As well as her fame, I also like some of the many cited quotes by Marilyn herself and others about her and while some are no doubt a fabrication or a misattribution that have been circulated over time and there is no verifiable source or documentation to support their authenticity, I do love these ones:
“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” (Marilyn Monroe)
“If I had known that Marilyn Monroe would one day become so famous, I would have asked for her autograph.” (Albert Einstein).
Another interesting story I read is where Marilyn Monroe told Albert Einstein “Would it not be wonderful if we had a child with your brains and my beauty?” Einstein replied promptly: “Yes, but imagine a child with my beauty and your brains!” LOL.
There’s an exhibition titled, “Marilyn: The Woman Behind The Icon” being held July 1 to September 24 at the iconic Sydney Town Hall (Australia) that will showcase the life and legacy of this, one of the most iconic actresses in history.
The first photo in the cover GIF is one I took of the Marilyn Monroe statue while in Key West. The second photo is a NASA image of the United States of America at night. It’s called “City Lights of the United States 2012”.
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but I do make mistakes 