It was by sheer coincidence that I even discovered the Google Local Guides program. I mean, sure, I knew about Google Maps and was an avid user of the same. You can use Google Maps to find the best route to get to your destination in the quickest possible time. But there is more to it. There is also some more information about the place you are visiting such as opening hours, parking availability, access for disabled people, etc. I always thought that it was so useful to include all those facts about these places, whether a famous heritage site or your local gym. But I never wondered about where Google used to get all that information. Who was it that made it possible for me to know that the Museum of Goa is 14 km away from my home and I will take 27 minutes to reach there if I take the usual route, but I will take 24 minutes if I take a different route? Who told the world that it is closed on Mondays, but Sundays are the busiest? Who was it?
It was a Google Local Guide. An intrepid wanderer who had discovered this location on one of their outings and thought to make sure that whoever decided to visit there knew whatever they needed to make their trip easier. It was a nameless, faceless person who had thought to give someone a tip to their friend from out of town who was visiting their locality.
That is what Google Local Guides means to me. It is about having a friend in every part of the world who can guide me during my travels to their wonderful lands, and about me having a chance to be friend to all those who visit mine.