We've all heard of wife-swapping and some of us may have tried it or even indulged on a regular basis. It's been going on since the year dot - look at the Old testament of the Holy Bible.
[Image courtesy of Culture Watch]
House-swapping is a more modern activity.
The origins of house-swapping
It started in the USA back in 1953 when a group of European teachers keen to travel abroad economically during their summer breaks formed "Intervac International".
In the same year David Ostroff, a teacher, created a home exchange network called "Vacation Exchange Club" (now renamed HomeLink) in New York City.
In 1992 Ed Kushins started what is now "HomeExchange.com". In 1995 he moved the business to the internet.
[Image courtesy of TimeOut]
What is it and how does it work?
The basic idea is that two parties/families agree to offer each other homestays for a set period of time. Since no money changes hands it is a modern form of barter.
It is totally flexible in that it can involve any type of accommodation, including boats and mobile homes; it can be for any length of time; simultaneous or non-simultaneous.
Homestays can be arranged privately or via social networking services or companies, which charge a fee.
[Image courtesy of Facebook]
(information provided by Wikipedia)
"The Holiday" (feature film from 2006)
A successful romantic comedy film starring Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black and Kate Winslet. Law and Winslet arrange a house-swap with Black and Diaz. The English couple have a charming cottage in the countryside in Surrey and the Americans have a large pad in Los Angeles, California. It is winter in England and freezing cold. Law and Diaz fall for each other and soon sleep together. Black and Winslet do not have an amorous relationship. Winslet befriends an elderly neighbour of Black, played by Eli Wallach.
This enchanting film gets shown on UK TV every Christmas. I've seen it loads of times and love it. Winslet is Winslet, ie brilliant; Law is truly a beautiful blue-eyed man who can also act; Diaz is the best I've ever seen her play; and Black is a better actor than you would expect of a rock musician. Best of the lot, however, was Wallach, already an old man, he played his role to perfection.
[Poster courtesy of La Vanguardia]
A poignant and beautiful film about house-swapping.
House-swapping in Spain
The home-exchange idea was slow to catch on here in Spain. Yet in recent years it has taken off. according to a report in La Razon there has been a 59% increase in pernoctaciones (overnight stays) since 2024, according to figures from "HomeExchange.com" and we're only in April!
Our experience
We dabbled with the idea about five years ago. We found swap-partners but couldn't agree on dates ….. and then the Covid-19 pandemic put paid to the idea.
As for now, post-Covid, we have a kitten so aren't sure whether that would work. And I'm not convinced Rita is fully on board with the idea. We'll see.
Photos and images:
Culture Watch, Facebook, La Vanguardia, Paul Whitelock, Time Out
© Joe King
Acknowledgements:
Columbia Pictures, HomeExchange.com, IMDb, Paul Whitelock, Universal Studios, Wikipedia
Tags:
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