Local guides program has greatly impacted my life. Before my curiosity led me to local guide I was just but a google map user who was a young freshman in big city with insecurities and opted for google map instead of asking directions. It really worked for me since I could not only get direction but clear clue of what to expect from previews and images. My passion and hobby of travelling developed to a small business in campus where I still am a Maritime Student which was organising road trips to great places of interest and this is where I discovered local guides program and it was amazing. I realized the google maps I used before became so helpful because of this program and best of it all, I could become part of the program in helping people.
First of all, arranging a road trip wasn’t an easy job for start. Taking a group of people of up to three vans to a place I’ve never been before wasn’t easy. From the reviews, photos, videos and updates from fellow local guides on the map I was able to know about the place like I was there before.
Caption: A screenshot of reviews by other local guides that influenced my decisions for road trip destinations.(Local Guide Hillary Verbeek).
The trips were always successful thanks to local guides who participated in making things easier for me and others out there.
Caption: A photo of people on one of the road trips I organise. ( Local Guide Hillary Verbeek)
Caption: a photo of vans we use for road trips locally know as “Matatu” (Local Guide Hillary Verbeek)
My passion for local guides program grew so strong. I started my contributions ever since with the mindset of giving back, Helping more people like I was once helped. I felt like I was now part of something big, am changing the world. I feel so good knowing my continuos contributions is helping thousands of people out there from business owners to people seeking to know about or visit places of their interest.
My long Journey of self discovery has led me to realisation that the program is made of more; customs, favorite treats, and passions. The program celebrates our diversity while also uniting us by what we have in common: our love for exploring and trying new things that I’m trying to explore to my full potential and learning from the rest.