Holocaust Memorial, Berlin 2013
One of my biggest passions besides architecture is traveling, as you can see in this blog. One day I decided to start my first architecture map, New York. A while later I did one of the city in which I was currently living: Chicago. Soon after a map of the city where I was born Madrid. Finally I started doing one of each city I had lived or traveled. One day I realized that this “map” thing was becoming a very important part of my life. Traveling, sharing and finding amazing spots that could then be found by others who used my maps and gave me their feedback too.
Two weeks ago, while traveling in Berlin, I decided to apply for Tetuan Valley Startup School with “my maps”, after one of this happy moments that you ask yourself “Why not? What if they like my project too?” Last Monday, after an interview, I was told I got selected from a bunch of projects and I still can’t believe the good news.
It’s funny how some dreams do become real.
The program includes lectures, talks, advise and lots of help, for free! Now I am building one of my biggest dreams, architecture guides for architecture lovers. I am trying to understand the way we travel, the way we engage with the city and how technology can make our experience more valuable.
As a traveler, I would love to hear your feedback. Thanks for taking the time to do my survey 🙂
Virginia Duran 
Congratulations. It’s nice hearing about people having the opportunity to do what they love.
By the way, I took the survey, but don’t know how helpful it will be (I’m not a typical traveler)
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I absolutely love this, I know there is a way to use technology to change the way we travel. And that is exactly what I am going to learn here.
It’s going to be tough, a lot of challenges to face but I am looking forward to it.
And thanks so much for the survey, it was really useful 🙂
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From what I’ve seen of your posts, you have the talent and vision. It might be tough, but it’ll probably be fun.
I was thinking . . . perhaps it’s worth integrating Google’s Goggles (they already do landmark recognition). Perhaps they would even be willing to sponsor or help.
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That’s a really good idea. I forgot about Google Goggles and it is such a helpful tool, especially when you travel that you don’t know all the buildings.
Thanks for your insight. If you have any other ideas feel free to share them here 🙂
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. . . all tapped out . . . I’ll need time to recover from the strain of thinking; perhaps I’ll try again in a few weeks.
. . . did I say weeks? I meant to say months.
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This is wonderful news 🙂
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You were here since the very beginning! I am going to be taught how to build my dreams. I am so happy! I still can’t believe the news 🙂
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And may be one day I will get to see the places on your maps 🙂
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Aaaw, that would just be amazing!
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Congratulations! Dream BIG and may that too come true!
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It’s true… can’t believe I thought there was no point in applying because it was impossible I would get selected. But here I am, this is the beginning of dreaming big 🙂
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Congrats! Sounds very interesting what you are doing, I sometimes forget there are real people behind maps and others things that we use often. Wish you all the best!
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Thanks 😀 I am really passionate about creating architecture maps. Now I will be taught how to build my dreams. Will post some app updates in this blog, stay tunned 🙂
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Congratulations! That’s wonderful news. Please keep us posted on the progress of your project. Right now I could use one of your guides for Istanbul. 🙂
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Thanks Richard, I am so happy with this opportunity. One day Istambul would be among my guides. The best part of this hobby is that I get to travel a lot 😀
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>>It’s funny how some dreams do become real.<<
I don't think there's anything funny about it, you got here by hard work, creativity and making it happen!
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Aaw :)) Thanks for the kind words! My next session is tomorrow. I will have to convince 50 something engineers that my MVP for architects is not so minimum haha. Wish me luck 🙂
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congrats for being selected
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Thanks you 😀 I am really happy!
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Enhorabuena Virginia!!! Qué alegría saber que los proyectos que se empiezan culminan en realidad, yo vivo en Barcelona y quiero desarrollar un proyecto turístico, si necesitas algo de la ciudad dime, igual en algún momento podemos colaborar. Un saludo
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Muchas gracias Diego, de momento estoy investigando como viajamos y empezando el diseño de la app. Lo estoy haciendo de Chicago solamente porque no puedo hacer frente al trabajo yo sola. Gracias por tu ayuda, lo tendré en cuenta y mucho ánimo con tu proyecto.
Ah y no te olvides de hacer mi survey 😉
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Virginia, this is fabulous! Congratulations! I hadn’t seen your Architecture Guides, and now I’m totally smitten! I’ve lived in Chicago, but you introduced me to some new places. And now I can go explore Madrid and New York from an architectural perspective. I can’t wait to see which guides you create next. All the best, Terri
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Terri, I am so happy that after living in Chicago you got to discover some new places with my map! I am now learning how to make these maps more interactive, it’s being a lot of fun so far. And stay tunned, new map this Thursday 😀
Take care, Virginia
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Congratulations! It really is worth dreaming and taking action. At least giving it a try, you just never know. All the best with the project!
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Edem, thanks a lot. It took me some tome to think wether I should take this map thing one step further or not, and here I am. Sometimes you have to be brave and give it a try, it’s true. Oh and don’t forget to do my survey, you’re a big traveler 🙂
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I am glad you did ! Sure, will do the survey. I planned on doing it. 🙂
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You deserved it, I have no doubt you will do great
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Can’t wait to post the updates!
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