I won’t be exaggerating when I say that what started off as a fun activity in the form of Google local guides has transformed not only into a passion but in an activity which is at the forefront of my existence these days.
As the name suggests, It was always my dream to guide people in the best possible way I can. This wish of mine was fulfilled when I came across Google Local guides program. It quenched my thirst to keep people informed about the places I am visiting, their timings, reviews, take aways, negatives, positives, pictures and several other features which people might find useful to plan their trip or visit there.
Today it has become my second nature to first click the picture of the place I am visiting and immediately put it on google guides so that maximum people can make use of the visual information. I also make it a point to answer relevant questions with regards to the place and present its review in the most simplest of language so that people at large can benefit from it.
What is more outrageous is that it has helped me connect directly and indirectly to people across the globe. I still reminisce meeting Dr. Ben and his wife Jennet while cycling and taking pictures across the beautiful landscape of Goreme, Cappadocia, Turkey. I had made a pitstop to take pictures and was uploading them simultaneously on local guides when I met the couple. This started off a day long cycle ride full of adventure and great discussions. Similarly I met two lovely ladies while enjoying the hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia; one of the them was a Google guide too.
There is also a sense of personal achievement and gratification when I see the number of times my pictures have been seen by people. It feels great to know that my photos have been viewed more than 3Million times on Google. That’s a stupendous feeling to carry. Without sounding philosophical; but I see it as my trivial effort towards the welfare of the society. I am not being pompous when I say that keeping the people abreast of the places and be a catalyst of information has given me one of the greatest sense of pride.
It has been a source of inspiration not only for me but it has helped me inspire the people around me to take up google guides as a hobby. The whole gamification of the concept has helped me and the fellow google guides to take it as a competition and keep on pouring in quality data so that our “level” continuously increases and we make it to the top.
It won’t be wrong to say that Google Guides has become an integral part of my life and I intend to continuously give it the best possible information so that our world is more connected and information is well disseminated.
