What does the Local Guides program mean to me?

Below is my first post as a Google Local Guide:

'We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.' – Herman Melville 

This quote by Herman Melville succinctly demonstrates what the Google Guides Program means to me. To describe it in detail, take a look at the picture below which is from when I visited Tripura (North East India) in December 2019.

Hop on. We have places to go

The photo features Ambassa Railway Station. The district of Ambassa is scarcely populated which makes it one of the most peaceful railway stations I have ever been to. While selecting a photo for this post, this one particularly stood out for me from all my travels. Perhaps it is because I remember how calm I felt when I was there. I remember sitting on a bench and observing these railway tracks; following them all the way to the point they disappeared into nothingness. It makes you wonder what’s on the other side from you, who lives there, what is there to experience. And that is how I like to think of the Google Guides program - an opportunity to explore, experience and educate.

We all dream of traveling the world; going to all the places we read about, hear about and know of.

While we do our best to discover and experience as many of these, we can't do it all. One lifetime is too short and the world too big.

We can, however, experience vicariously the places we can't personally visit. Imagine a cute little corner café on the other side of the world from you, comes up with the most unique ice cream flavor. You may not be able to jump on a plane and get it right away, but you can still see photos, reviews and experiences around that new flavor instantly!

Similarly, I want to bring forward what my side of the world has to offer.

In India, children from a very young age are taught to be good hosts. I want to do my bit to help potential tourists/travelers or even locals by presenting to them the best options available in terms of food, lodging, recreation and events that fit their budget.

Anthony Bourdain said, “If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. The extent to which you can walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food, it’s a plus for everybody.”

Together, we can make this world more close-knit through our shared experiences. While the unknown can be scary, exploring it together can turn it into an adventure that never ends.

Stay safe and wash your hands

I have been seeing a lot of memes lately titled 'when you realize your lifestyle is called quarantine' or 'I didn't realize I was practicing social distancing all my life'. And I definitely agree. I am one of those people whose routines have not changed since we were asked to self isolate/stay at home.

I mean, I would have chosen this routine. I would have chosen to sit at home and read; to cook and try to take artistic photos my dishes; to binge watch TV and just catch up on sleep (although I have a pretty decent sleep pattern). And now when it's all I can do it is starting to feel so restrictive.

So suffocating.

I have been thinking about this a lot. About why it feels so suffocating if this is exactly what I would have done if things were different. And that's when I realized it's because there was no choice involved. Although this is exactly what I love doing, it isn't something I chose to do. Which is why it feels so difficult.

It made me realize how important having a say is; to be able to choose something as mundane as a routine.

I love watching make up and baking videos on YouTube and lately all the channels I am subscribed to have been posting frequently because just like me the creators are also at home. That is one thing I'm really enjoying during this lock down. And I have also seen an increase in creative videos being posted where people are coming up with ingenious ways of making best use of their time at home. This is another thing that got me thinking. I work from home and usually spend most of my time at home. So why haven't I been using my time more wisely? Why did I wait for this lock down to be imposed on us to realize how easy (and important!) it is to do way more than I do each day. 

These last few weeks have been a real eye opener and while I am sad about how to this came about, I am going to focus on the silver lining for now and finally pull up that bucket list that I haven't crossed anything off in a long time. Focusing on the silver lining helps appreciate the good this terrible time has brought with it; such as the decrease in pollution levels; the reduced sounds of traffic that let you listen to the chirping of the birds in your backyard; the chance to finally cook those extravagant dishes that you just don't have time for during a work week; the chance to spend time with family and the chance to slow down and be more grateful for what we have.

I hope you are all staying safe. That's a great way to do your bit in controlling this pandemic. We are all in this together.

Wash your hands and stay safe. Constant vigilance (as Prof. Moody would say. I am a Harry Potter fan. Could you tell?)

-Aarohi