I am Haley, an avid traveller and an environmentalist from India, living in Germany. My passion for traveling has brought me to the paradise of travellers, Europe. I love capturing cultures and history on my Camera, that inspires me to take solo trips around the globe.
I started using local guides to find out information and check reviews about places while traveling. One incident changed my travelling ways and since that moment Google local guides has become the most important travel essential for me.
I was stranded in Rome in the middle of the night when I had to run away from my host sensing danger. I ran to the nearest bus stop but had no idea where to go next. I was alone at 2 am in the streets of an unknown city and no knowledge of local language on top of that. I had never been this scared before. I opened Google maps on my phone, with my shivering hands and looked for open cafes nearby. With the help of Local Guides reviews, I found a safe place, a café where I could spend the rest of the night and think for the next plan.
That was the moment when I understood the value of Google Local Guides. Sometimes we don’t even know that one review/update on the maps we make can save someone’s life. So, I decided to return this favour to fellow travellers by updating the places I visit and help the local businesses. Since then it has become a tradition to contribute and update the maps after every visit to a new city or a new cafe/restaurant.
Best thing about Local Guides program is that it connects you with like-minded people and gives you opportunities to make friends beyond boarders. Thanks to Google Local Guides, now I have friends in many parts of the world.
Now that I have moved to a small town, updating local businesses on Google is my new hobby. It helps me keep my eyes and ears open whenever I am outside and keep updating as soon as I am home!