2022
To many of us, this unique and still unbelievable experience of Connect Live 2019, was in many ways personal. In my case, the weather, God or destiny, decided to make my first Connect Live day a milestone in my life.
The same day I was traveling to San Jose invited by Google I was able to see and hug my parents after 15 years of physical separation. In 2007 I left my home country (Venezuela) and moved to my new home (Montreal, Canada). Sadly the situation in Venezuela made it impossible for me to visit them.
A few years ago the still difficult situation in my homeland forced my brother and sister to move to the USA. More recently, at the beginning of 2019, my parents managed to leave Venezuela and join my siblings in the USA. Many times we tried to have a get-together but there was always something that changed our plans.
The Universe started to conspire at 1:00 am when I received an email from the airline announcing the cancellation of my flight Montreal-Chicago-San Jose, due to a snow blizzard. The only alternative was to reroute me down to the south to the warm embrace of my parents and family at the International Airport of Miami, Florida.
After an unforgettable six hours of hugs and kisses, I said goodbye to my family and continued my trip to San Francisco and later San Jose. I never expected that after arriving that late (after 10 pm) the amazing Local Guides and Google Moderators would be waiting for me with such energy and joy.
From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all my dear fellow Local Guides for the warm reception and for all the help and support through the unofficial chat (I was never alone in my adventure) that helped me end my day in such a positive note. That was only the beginning of one of the best experiences of my life: Connect Live 2019 in San Jose.
I felt like I was getting to know my new best friends. I will never forget the amazing day that was November 12, 2019. Connect Live is for this reason and many others a personal matter to me.
I am thankful for the encounter of so many different cultures, the constant exchange of knowledge and experiences in English, French, and Spanish. I enjoyed the possibility of knowing better Google Maps, discovering all the options we have to help and contribute on Maps, Street View and Google Earth.
I really appreciated the attention that Googlers paid to our opinions and ideas. We felt recognized and empowered. We felt at home!
Gracias. Merci. Thanks.
Hi, @LuisMGonzalez
JAPAN LOCAL GUIDES
Hi @LuisMGonzalez,
very lovely story, and this makes even more great this event. Glad you made it and very nice pleasure being meeting you, can't forget that picture in the hall when you just arrived and we did welcome you (credits to @KarenVChin who read on time your message on the chat).
A very big hug from Italy and I hope to see you again somewhere.
