This is my application for Google Local Guides Connect Live 2020
My name is Erna LaBeau, a proud Local Guide from Detroit, Michigan, I actually live in Taylor, a suburb but work in Detroit both cities are playing an important role in my life. In my spare time, I explore every corner of the cities.
There are things in life you do for fun or making a living. Photography was fun for me back before technology hit our planet. I loved taking pictures of everything and anything.
Switching from a film camera to digital and now with cell phone photography is really coming along. Photography has not changed a bit except it’s more practical just a click and it is published. In May 2017 when I started understanding what I can do with photos, besides the personal satisfaction I learned it can also be enjoyed by others, my photography has blossomed since then. When I look back to that day when Google announced me as a Local Guide it always puts a smile on my face.
Now for my story on how I became a Local Guide. It started with my husband, It was an everyday healthy competition I guess. One day my husband told me that his photo published the day before on Google Map has been viewed over 300 times. My jaw dropped, I wondered how it could happen. All the while thinking, will I be able to do the same too? I asked him how to do it and he showed me. Oh, what heaven thanks Google for giving me a chance to share my photos for others to enjoy. After a while, I got notification from Google that I am a Local Guide!!! After that nothing can stop me from posting. I tried to be careful of what I take photos of and publish then I ask myself what photo should I publish?
Having a hobby to explore and travel, I thank Google Map a bunch for the ability to explore any side street or small road that exists unlike 15 years ago when most of the world still used paper maps, they were hard to read in small print. Now, I explore and enjoy the side streets more if available on Google Maps. Along the way, I come across many small businesses that stay in the family for many generations or family restaurants with great food. I get permission to take pictures so I can publish in Google Maps so others will know this small-town restaurant and after it has been published I feel that my good deed for the day has been accomplished. If I can make someone smile and help others at the same time so be it. Where there are happy businesses you will find a happy Local Guide.
From photos of business locations to their products, it comes along with the review. As Local Guide, I give my fair review on everything based on my experiences. Sometimes I received a thank you email from the owner for my review. I am glad I can be part of their world just for a bit. Another benefit that makes me proud is when I am able to answer questions regarding the photo I published. I will give my full effort to help if I can and if not I will suggest they call the location by giving them the business phone number but a minute effort equals a thousand words.
Ok let flash-forward, It has been almost 3 years now since I got involved with Google Map, now I have started seeing the results of my work, some photos I took have been used as main business photo features viewed 100s of thousands of times and this makes me feel a sense of pride and accomplishment knowing what I do as a hobby is being utilized by so many others. My photo collection is no longer just cluttering my hard drive. Some photos I posted have been viewed for over 1.5 million. My reviews get likes and this will help others tremendously.
Being an adventurous person, I also love kayaking, camping, or even just exploring places that not so many people think about. Speaking of kayaking, Google maps play a big role in finding places that are kayak able whether it is a river or lake, the start point where we can launch the kayak and the take out, it also gives us a rough time to reach the destination if you paddle hard and just play paddle. Please know that sometimes you have to pull the kayak out just to pass a big log or if there is a beaver dam. In my link attached here is my list I submitted as part of the requirement in applying CL2020. This list is just a small part of Huron River in the Southeastern area in Michigan. https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0516128,-83.2476488,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!11m1!2s-dcAt1–wCR6FG2qypCy6g42MkyP6w
Living in Michigan where warm weather is roughly only 4 or 5 months, we learn that no cold weather will stop us from doing outdoor activity. Winter camping is one of them for me, this has been one of my annual activities now. I did camp in a tent (a non-heated tent) on top of the 10-inch snow one time. Oh boy, this was very rough, I woke up with a frozen eyebrow now I prefer to camp with my van. This may sound silly but I love challenging myself just to say I have done it. When looking for winter camping, Google Maps will help so much in finding which campground opens during winter also info about a heated bathroom and heated shower, this is cool, right? Below are some pictures of my winter camping.
Being a Local Guide has given me a sense of purpose, raised my confidence, and gave me an opportunity to make friends with other Local Guides all over the world. I never imagined that my life’s scope would have gotten so big, bigger than I expected. Three years ago I barely knew anyone from Germany or Bhutan or Spain but now I have friends from many countries, yes we have never met in person but with technology we can chat, message, video call and we do help each other a lot. The experts will give advice to the beginner, we pass knowledge to each other because knowledge is not complete until it is passed on. We share the beauty of our country. It may be one person’s dream to travel the world and now virtually you are able to travel the world especially with the launch of Google Earth.
As of today, I am proud to announce that I have 36 followers and I am following 21 other Local Guides. In a short period of time, I hope I got more followers. This is one of the meanings of being a Local Guide, being able to be followed and to follow.
If for some reason you choose me to attend Connect Live 2020, I will utilize the knowledge to help others.
PS: After becoming a Google Local Guide, I purchased Google chrome notebook, I wrote and edited this article with Google Docs, I edited the photo using Google Photo, Google has impacted my life in many ways … GO GOOGLE …
