Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.He scoured Canada for the perfect travelling companion for a once-in-a-lifetime, round-the-world trip – the only catch was she had to have the same name as the ex-girlfriend who had recently dumped him.
Now, Jordan Axani and the Elizabeth Gallagher he found, have returned.
Axani, 28, hit the headlines when, following his break up, he offered the non-transferable ticket to any Canadian with the name Elizabeth Gallagher.
Elizabeth “Quinn” Gallagher, 23, was the lucky one who secured the coveted place and they are back from their holiday, after taking in eight countries.
Despite rumours to the contrary the pair have dismissed speculation of a romance.
According to Mr Axani: “It sort of brought out this brother-sister dynamic between us,” CTV News reported.
“When you spend three weeks with somebody, travelling around, you get to know anybody pretty well. I feel like I've known [her] for years after this,” he added.
Ms Gallagher, who is from Nova Scotia and has a boyfriend, told local media: “We probably got along better because we were strangers. We didn't have a relationship to break.”
The strangers left Toronto on 21 December, last year, and spent three weeks visiting countries including France, Italy, India, Thailand and Hong Kong, before returning last week.
Christmas Day was spent in the Austrian capital, Vienna, but largely they kept to themselves.
Another difference between the couple was their approach to heights. “I hate heights and everywhere we went, she took me to the highest thing possible - whether it was the highest level of the Eiffel Tower, or the highest bar in Bangkok - and she'd poke fun of me for my fear of heights,” Mr Axani told the BBC.
When the heart-broken man discovered that he could not exchange his ticket he posted an appeal to Reddit: “Are you named Elizabeth Gallagher (and Canadian)? Want a free plane ticket around the world?”
Although no hotels were planned for the trip, when news of the plea went viral, Marriott offered free accommodation for the pair.
Now Mr Axani is promoting his charity project, A Ticket Forward, which he started with his brother after receiving a letter from an eight-year-old who was going blind and wanted to see the world.
The charity aims to help send individuals on "trips of a lifetime" for those who deserve them, but are unable to afford the expense.
Talks are underway over the possibility of a television programme or film covering the young Canadians’ journey.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments