Life has its funny ways to lead us right where we should be. And it doesn’t happen once, it happens constantly! If there’s one thing we have learned through our Lokafyers profiles, is that for a while, they might have been oblivious to the existence of Lokafy and they were just enjoying their lives in their birth cities or the new places they were starting to call home… But sooner or later, someone mentioned Lokafy, they saw it on Instagram or somehow, they became familiar with us. The most important thing is that at the end of the day, we have become inseparable. We could say that something similar happened to Carlos, our Lokafyer from Montréal who has given us the opportunity to get to know him better and understand how and why he became a Lokafyer.
Before we keep going, while you’re reading Carlos’ answers think about this: isn’t it clear that Lokafyers perfectly reflect their city's spirits? For example, we find Carlos to be someone very welcoming and charismatic that has experienced first hand how wonderful getting to know other cultures, languages and traditions is… Don’t you think that is also Montréal’s essence? To be a multicultural haven where everyone has the right to be and exist, a melting pot that has created a vibrant and welcoming place for everyone. Now, let’s continue and let us know if our hypothesis is true!
Tell us a bit about yourself!
I am from Venezuela, South America. My native language is Spanish, I also speak English and French. I love traveling, discovering new places and learning about new cultures. I have always worked in customer service in the Tourism and Hospitality industry and I also have experience in retail. I arrived in Montréal very young to learn languages and fell in love with this city.
How long have you been living in your city and what do you love about it?
I have been living in Montréal for more than 25 years. I am in love with Montréal. It is a Cosmopolitan city with an European flavor with a lot to offer culturally and geographically it is well located: it is just 2 hours from the city of Ottawa, Capital of Canada and 3 hours from Québec City, the oldest city in North America and just 2 hours from the US border and 6 hours by car from New York City. Montréal has many cultural festivals throughout the year including during the winter. The hospitality of its people makes it special, said by the visitors themselves. Montréal is the second largest city in Canada and the second largest French-speaking city after Paris outside of France.
How did you discover Lokafy and what made you want to become a Lokafyer?
I discovered Lokafy through an ad on Instagram. I decided to join Lokafy because I love to travel and I want people who visit Montréal to discover the wonderful things about it and take away the best unforgettable memories of this city that I love and I call my home.
What are some of the most memorable experiences you've had with travelers through Lokafy?
I feel that every person and group that I have met and taken a tour with is memorable, yet I think one tour that is memorable was a tour I did with a teenager last year while his mother had a business meeting and to finish the tour we went to see the view of the city of Montréal from Mont-Royal. The teenager's face was a poem when we returned to the hotel. He thanked me for the tour and gave me a hug. That was very gratifying and memorable!!!
How has Lokafy changed your perspective on travel and culture?
Lokafy has changed my perspective on travel and culture because I have learned to see the city and life through the eyes of travelers, feel more empathy and solidarity with humanity and enjoy life here and now.
What are some of the tips or advice that you would give to someone who wants to travel like a local?
I believe that the best advice for traveling like a local is to always keep an open mind to discover new places, talk to people, chat with them, make new friends to get to know the way of life of the place and discover the local culture and important places to visit during our trip.
When you’re not working for Lokafy, what do you like to do for fun?
When I'm not taking visitors on tour, I like to walk around the city, go to the theater or watch a good movie. I like to eat out and share with my friends. There are still many places to discover even for me. Montréal is a city to walk and discover.
Any final comments for travelers visiting your city?
Montréal has a happy mix of past, present and future. In many places, heritage buildings are nestled next to modern ones, which makes strolling through the city a visual treat. Art lovers will find lots to do, with a vibrant choice of museums, murals, libraries and festivals.
The city hosts the Canadian Grand Prix of Formula One; the Montréal International Jazz Festival, the largest jazz festival in the world; the Just for Laughs festival, the largest comedy festival in the world; and Les Francos de Montréal, the largest French-language music festival in the world. Montréal is a city to be discovered!!
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