Two strangers lived out The Holiday in real life after swapping homes in New York and Glasgow.
Robert Garris posted a video online inviting strangers to spend a week in his New York apartment on the condition he could stay in their home in return.
Several people responded to the 30-year-old’s request.
READ MORE: ‘I had to rent out my HOUSE to afford holiday – now I’m £16,000 better off and do it all the time’
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But Jojo Murray, from Glasgow, stood out.
The pair shared a video call to discuss logistics, from key swapping and tips for exploring each other’s cities.
Robert flew into London on November 17 then took an eight-hour overnight bus to Scotland.
Meanwhile, Jojo, 28, hopped on a flight to New York.
“I saw a few TikTok’s about doing a home swap instead of paying for accommodation,” Robert said.
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“I literally just put my apartment on TikTok and used The Holiday movie soundtrack and asked if anyone in Glasgow wanted to swap.
“I also was open to London, but thank God someone from Glasgow answered first because that where I really wanted to go.
“When I was backpacking Europe two years ago, a guy told me I should try and see it so I did some research and my heart was set on it.
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“Me and Jojo hopped in a video call and talked about details such as our reasons and how would we swap keys.
“She left hers at a trusted store and my key is virtual.
“We shared places to see while we’re in each other city and we were off.”
Jojo told Luxury Travel Daily: “Robert’s apartment looked amazing.
“We hopped on a video call to get to know each other and show our homes.
“I’ve always wanted to go to New York but I’ve never had the opportunity to go.
“I’ve been really busy with work and no friends were ever free at the same time so when this opportunity presented itself I thought ‘screw it’ and decided to go solo for the first time.”
Despite swapping homes with a stranger, the pair said they weren’t nervous about swapping at all.
Dancer Robert said: “I wasn’t too worried about trusting Jojo because of our initial call and also just checking out her socials.
“I think the thing I was most nervous about was the flight.
“I have flying anxiety, everything else I was totally ok with.”
Jojo added: “I knew immediately that I could trust him because he was the nicest guy ever.
“My worries were fairly minimal because we chatted a bunch and I knew I could trust him to take care of the place.
“Obviously, there are tiny doubts as it is a massive game of trust.
“You just have to be willing to take the risk.
“We did everything properly.
“We shared our travel details, exchanged full details and contact information.”
The pair have stayed in touch and are planning to make the house swap an annual tradition.
Robert added: “I did so much while I was there.
“I feel as though I have a real connection to Glasgow.
“I went to the Pollock Country park to feed the cows, The Burrell Collection museum, I went to check out night life, going to Polo night club where I ended up on stage dancing, a disco night club, I took yoga class at the Hotpod studio and had a spa day at Kimpton Hotel.
“I attempted to play the trail bagpipes at the National Piping Centre, went to the casino, and I even had Buckfast.
“I loved Glasgow and I would quite literally move there.
“It has so much heart and grit to me.
“I love the Scottish accent as well.
“I would do it again in a heartbeat.
“We’ve talked about making it an annual thing and she said she’d love to.”
Although Robert’s family were wary at first, they came round once he’d got the keys to the property.
He added: “My family and friends didn’t understand why, but once I was over here and they saw pictures and videos of me having the time of my life they were supported and inspired.
“I’d love to bring my dad next time.
“He hasn’t travelled out of the US and I’d love to show him beautiful Glasgow.”
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