LEAVING BREAD CRUMS BEHIND TO FIND YOUR WAY BACK HOME
I’m a 46 years old mom, living in Istanbul, Turkey. Being trapped at home with my boy for 20 days now on “Corona days”, and this sitution brings back memories…
I kept thinking what does being a Local Guide mean to me. After watching the world outside from my tiny window for 3 weeks, I realised my content was right there; it was me, myself!
I had an almost perfect childhood growing up in 80’s, very much outgoing, climbing trees, getting lost on bike trips, no fear of strangers and/or anything “bad”, no such worries at all. Those were “safe” days. My only disappointment was E.T. not showing up in our backyard!
Years passed and one day a big earthquakehit my region and also hit my memories. 
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake left hundred thousands of people homeless, nearly 30 thousand wounded, and 40 thousand missing. Imagine streets you walked in disapearing from the map in 45 seconds, just like that.
As you may guess tragedy this big took months to heal. Physically and mentally.
My trauma came up to surface not right away but some time after. It started as avoiding crowded places as well as cafes and restaurants. Fear grow day by day and finally I had to quit my job beacuse I couldn’t take public transportion anymore. I prisoned myself home from the outside world until I asked help for for my agoraphobia.
While healing and facing my fears, Google Maps made me leave milestones behind; letting me keep my track. Like in the end when I’m back home I could say, ‘I did this, I was there!’ Leaving pebbles behind and looking back at them gives me courage. And also knowing my contributions are helping some people…well that’a bonus! Recently I even added a photo of a tank, in the middle of Mediterranean Sea, taken while scuba diving! 
(16metres)
So Google Maps, thank you so much for this oppurtunity! This local guide is honestly not sure if she can make it to all the way to other side of the World! But she’s trying her best and pushing herself to make that Check-In at Bay Area! 
Peace 
