Yo! Salud! Two different ways to say “cheers;” the former in Vietnamese, and latter in Spanish. However, both represent the diverse childhood I had. I was raised in a strict, Vietnamese household in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood. At home, my aunts would make traditional Vietnamese dishes, but if I stepped outside the house, there would be an elote lady pushing a cart with a cooler full of steaming corn on the cob and all the toppings. Ever since I was little, I was interested in food & travel. I have to blame Food Network for that because they transported me around the world and introduced me to new foods and culture from all over.
I remember the first-ever trip I took on my own. Went to Seattle and was very excited at the time. I prepared for this trip by Googling places to see & eat and saving the websites for reference. I’m a very organized person but oftentimes I found myself struggling to find THAT bakery or THAT ice cream shop in my laundry list of saved places. Nothing more unsettling than being in a city you don’t know searching for your next destination on a tiny screen (this made my husband very anxious). My life changed when I discovered the Local Guides program! Reviews. Check. Photos. Check. Map. Check check. This is my favorite tool to use at home and on travels because it has everything I need, all in one place! Being able to create customized lists and “favorite” places on Google Maps is definitely a game changer since I always use Maps for getting around (no more anxious husband because now we’d know where we’re going!).
I love to immerse myself in culture. When I travel, I want to eat what locals eat, do what locals do, and stay where locals stay. That’s why I rely on reviews and photos of Local Guides to help prepare me for my trips; locals know the best about their towns. Convenience. Community. Connect.
