Meet a Connect Moderator: Ricardo

[InaS]

Connect Moderators are Local Guides just like you and me. They apply the knowledge they’ve gained as active members of our community to moderate Connect and help improve the experience for everyone. You may see them welcoming newcomers, explaining the program, answering questions, and sharing their knowledge with others.

Each month, we share some personal insights from one of our amazing Connect Moderators. This month, meet Ricardo ( @LightRich ). Ricardo lives inMexico City and speaks Spanish and English.

Name: Ricardo Monjaraz

Location: Mexico City

What I love about being a Local Guide: I’ve always loved maps, ever since the [time] the only maps around were those made of paper! A lot has happened since then, that’s why I [feel] like I should be a guide for others, and through Google Maps, I fulfill that role. The recommendations that we leave allow other people to make better decisions about the places worth visiting and the restaurants they must try. And we can even update the information on the map! It is an incredible way to contribute to our environment and our community. What more could we ask for?

Why I’m a Connect Moderator: I really enjoy interacting with and learning from other people, and I think we all have a lot to share and talents to show. It is important to discover what makes each Local Guide special and channel it on Connect. As a Connect Moderator, [I can help] them learn how to contribute ideas, share stories, or create initiatives for the community.

My favorite things to explore: Cities and places full of history and restaurants that have open spaces, interesting views, and allow me to enjoy new flavors.

My favorite type of contribution(s) to make on Google Maps: I like all the contributions that I can make on Google Maps, although I have photos the most. I enjoy adding new places because, that way, I help small businesses increase their reach. Editing information is also one of the things that I often do.

Languages I read/speak/write fluently: Spanish and English

Places I’d like to visit: There are many places that I would like to visit, such as Venice, Florence (I can’t wait to see Michelangelo’s David with my own eyes), and Buenos Aires (the Local Guides community in Argentina has made me wish to visit that city).

And there are many more to which I would like to return, like Rome, a city that I consider a true open-air museum; Toronto, whose marathon I could not run in 2020 due to the pandemic and still have pending; San Francisco; and a place that I consider super special in my country, Los Cabos. Culture, history, and physical activity—the perfect combination for me!

Fun fact about me: For ten years now, running has been an important activity for me and a perfect excuse to travel. So far, I have finished 12 marathons in different cities around the world. I would also like to start [taking part in] triathlons, but there is a slight drawback… I can’t swim!

We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know @LightRich . Say hi or ask him a question below as he has a lot to share about Google Maps and Connect.

Interested in becoming a Connect Moderator? Learn more here.

Want to learn about other Connect Moderators?

Learn more about Nyai in April 2021

Learn more about Sagir in March 2021

Learn more about Cecilia in February 2021

Learn more about Kashif in January 2021

Learn more about Feliciana in December 2020

Learn more about Megan in November 2020

Learn more about Penny in October 2020

Learn more about Alexandre in September 2020

Learn more about Shafiul in August 2020

Learn more about Jane in July 2020

Learn more about Luigi in June 2020

Learn more about Julien in May 2020

Learn more about Jan in April 2020

Learn more about Emeka in March 2020

Learn more about Omer in February 2020

Learn more about Sumaiya in January 2020

Learn more about Steve in December 2019

Learn more about Jordan in November 2019

Learn more about Torben in October 2019

Learn more about Hiroyuki in September 2019

Learn more about Jesi in August 2019

Learn more about Alejandra in June 2019

Learn more about Adrian in May 2019

Learn more about Gregg in January 2019

Learn more about Stephen in November 2018

Learn more about Paul in October 2018

Learn more about Sonia in August 2018

Learn more about Nunung in July 2018

Learn more about Shirley in June 2018

Learn more about Ilankovan in May 2018

Learn more about Farid in April 2018

Learn more about Ludwig in March 2018

Learn more about Karen in February 2018

Learn more about Ivan in January 2018

Learn more about Ermes in December 2017

[KarenVChin]

Hola @LightRich ! Good to meet you even more with this interview from @InaS ! I know @ErmesT will be your Venice/Italy Local Guide for you! He has hosted @JaneBurunina @LuigiZ and @AlejandraMaria in his annual Italian wine weekend meetups near Venice. He even knows where you can stay in Venice. Luigi, I know is more than happy to show you around where he lives.

As for swimming, I am sure you can find the right swim school on Google Maps if you look hard enough.

Cheers,

Karen

[KashifMisidia]

Wow Congratulations @LightRich , it’s great to know more about you my friend I should follow you in your passion for running , because I badly need it

Thank you @InaS for Sharing

[MAHBUB_HYDER]

Hi @InaS

Thanks for introducing with us a new Connect Moderator @LightRich !

Congratulations dear @LightRich for your great position!

Hope we get from you smart activities to enrich the Connect forum!

Keep up your running too!

All the best and good luck for you Ricardo!

[NareshDarji]

Glad to know more about you @LightRich

Thanks @InaS for this post.

[ErmesT]

Maybe we can combine the wine meet-up with the Venice marathon, @LightRich , this year it will be October 24th. Treviso marathon, better know as Ombralonga (Ombra is how we call the glass of wine) has been cancelled for 2021, but a lot of Local Guides will be able to confirm that the wine meet-up is better, and I know that @KarenVChin (thanks for the tag) can’t wait to come too, to explore my region.

What about Kitesurf instead? We have some wonderful schools here, and a post is coming soon for the happiness of @uavalentine

I lived in Rome 6 years, but we have a lot of wonderful guides that will be happy to meet you, Ricardo, even if I would love to go back to my second home and spend a few days in Buenos Aires with you and the wonderful Argentinian Community.

Great to know more about you, so thanks @InaS for sharing this wonderful post

[LaloPadilla]

@InaS Thanks for sharing this great post about Ricardo

@LightRich Nunca es tarde para aprender a nadar, cuando quieras vamos al Nevado de Toluca, ¿Qué te parecen unas lecciones de nado en las lagunas del Sol y la Luna?

[NirmalTeja]

Congratulations @LightRich nice journey @InaS thank you for sharing with us…

[JaneBurunina]

So wonderful to know more about you @LightRich ! You finished 12 marathons in different cities and countries! Fantastic!

Glad to meet you on Connect and be a CM with you!

Thanks @InaS for this amazing post!

[RHoqueBD]

**Heartiest Congratulations to dear @LightRich **

Reaz

Bangladesh

[AdrianLunsong]

Yay! Great post @InaS on @LightRich !! It’s nice learning more about Ricardo and I wonder if he’s ever considered doing a StreetView mapping whilst he is running/walking/hiking etc? Seems like a win-win situation there!

[Silvi]

Thanks @InaS for sharing this post will us!

Felicitaciones Rich! Sabés que yo también usaba en una época las guías de papel,por suerte tenemos Maps ahora.

@LightRich tú propósito de éste año podría ser aprender a nadar, nunca es tarde, yo aprendí de grande y obviamente no estoy para triatlón pero me encanta nadar jaja

Y aquí te esperamos en Buenos Aires cuando gustes.

Saludos amigo.

Silvy.

[Jesi]

Qué bueno leer más sobre vos y que querés venir a vistarnos @LightRich ! Me pasó lo mismo con la comunidad de México!

Ya me pongo contenta con pensar en cuando pase una de las dos… aunque no haya fecha todavia jajaja

[Sagir]

Wow… Encantada de conocerte @LightRich

It’s great to know more about you…

Thanks @InaS for sharing with us this wonderful person…

[SebaasC]

Que bueno saber un poco más de Richard!

Gran organizador de meets, siempre predispuesto a ayudar y con muy buena onda!!!

La pregunta obligada a Richard es…: Esa salsa Mexicana pica??

Abrazo!

@LightRich

[FaridTDF]

Un gran moderador @LightRich , con todos estos detalles extras @InaS , podemos conocer mas de el, y gustoso de invitarte a pasear por la Argentina si en algun momento la visitas , que a Mexico seguro regreso, ya tengo varias listas nuevas de google Maps para completar con datos extras cuando las visites, uno de ellos es el tan comentado Tampico, que esta muy bien vendido, quiero conocerlo jajaja

Un gran saludo desde la Tierra del Fuego, Farid.

[Zuhralc]

Pleasure knowing more about you @LightRich Sir , and thank you @InaS for sharing.

[LuigiZ]

Great story @LightRich , nice to read about you and congratulations for the 12 marathons! Wow that’s really a record, I wish you to join once also the triathlon by first learning some swim too .

You have friends waiting for you in Italy, so come visiting Venice, Rome and Firenze in between them .

Thank you @InaS for the great post!

[AdamGT]

Thank you @InaS for this delightful insight into fellow Connect Moderator @LightRich . I’m very much like you (ex Marathons) Ricardo, I can’t swim, in fact, swimming to me is simply a matter of staying alive in water

[LightRich]

Thank you very much for letting me know about this post @KarenVChin . In the morning I was a bit busy and thanks to your message I found out about this post. I am very clear that our Italian friends are always ready to receive us. Venice is a place that I have to visit at any cost, and of course I will have to try a Neapolitan pizza with @LuigiZ .