Courage…
I was busy enjoying myself at one of the favorite restaurant in town when the prompt to be a local guide came through. Initially I was reluctant to accept the offer, would it conflict with my job as a Map Analyst with a Tech-Company. I hesitated for few weeks while slowly reading what it entails to be local guide. The excitement of being a local guide was too overwhelming beyond any restrictions I could abhor. Therefore, I threw cautions to wind and wrote my first review. I knew I have started new fun filled activities of taking pics and writing reviews. Here came the time of reflection. What did I want from local guides? A job with Google? An invitation to California? A gift? May be yes perhaps no … what should be my priority? I asked myself. Without much Ado, I quickly realized google Map is helpful for my personal growth many ways. It provide me a sense of purpose, I would no longer flicker the pages of internet endlessly every morning. I could write without being judged! I was happy writing reviews and uploading pictures casually. Then, came the local connect guides 2019. I rushed. I posted desperately with intention to make the final list. So when I was not selected. I was sad for a moment and I considered it has an opportunity to remain focused. I continue to post pictures and write reviews.
Adventure …………
The miraculous Google Drive … I joined google local guide late December 2018. Ever since, I have been having an urge to travel around the world. I started by flying to Thailand where I visited Bangkok & Pattaya city. I visited many exotic places including the Famous King’s Palace, learn to swim at the blue Pattaya beaches, taste Thai cuisine and visited a couple of ancient Buddhist monasteries.
Three month after I returned from Thailand, I got a new job. My job has so far taken me Switzerland, Germany, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan and still more destinations to visit. It seem being a local guide has a way of making one to travel, I guessed.
Empathy……………
It became a wont for me to take pictures and write reviews about the malls and top restaurants, I visited in the city of Ufa, where I live. There are always a lot of pictures to take and with convenience at those huge malls. The city grows rapidly faster than Russia could embraces capitalism. The unexpected consequence was the smaller businesses, which were being edged out of the market by the big malls and mega supermarkets. I got emotional about these, I started deliberately writing reviews and putting them online and I even go to extent of patronizing them for my basic needs. It make me happy when I see smaller businesses online and getting good reviews
Ambition……………
I ever since joining the local guides I have decided to write daily and practice other activities that could make a me a better writer and a fluent public speaker. The effort is paying off and I would attribute the success I have so far partially to google local guide connect. This is because it all started with my first review and I got the motivation from them. Google connect has helped me to re-discover myself, It has broaden my horizon. Now I dream of travelling the world over, I am not no longer restrained!
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