Why not swap it for grazing cows in the rural fields of the Philippines? Or the dazzling lights of the Manhattan skyline? Or perhaps even the endless rooftops of a city centre in Budapest?
Travel may still be restricted, but a new video project is here to virtually transport you around the world, giving users the chance to watch the view from someone else’s window, and with millions of us having to settle into life amid tougher new restrictions once again, the lockdown wanderlust has never been stronger than it is right now.
The project was created by Sonali Ranjit and her husband Vaishnav Balasubramaniam – two advertising creatives based in Singapore – last summer, and between them, they’ve previously lived and worked in India, Shanghai, Singapore, San Francisco and Stockholm.
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Naturally, they spent the first lockdown wondering how their friends abroad were getting on, and so, WindowSwap was born.
Some of the viewpoints on WindowSwap offer expansive scenes or slightly-abstract yet immersive shots with a silhouetted window frame, others really lean into the window part, offering balcony corners, fluttering curtains, and plant-lined windowsills.
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Most come with background noise too, with everything from distant traffic or local kids playing, to faint music and household chatter in various languages.
WindowSwapWindowSwap
Now while you may be perfectly willing to admit you find it a little repetitive to look at the same view outside of your window everyday, that doesn’t mean everyone else with think the same, which is why WindowSwap is a brilliant two-way street that also allows you to submit your own view for others all across the world to enjoy.
It couldn’t be easier to get your window featured either, because all WindowSwap requires you to do is:
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1. Record a 10 minute, horizontal HD video of your view with part of your window frame in the shot.
2. Make sure not to shake or move while recording.
3. Rename the video with your name and location for credits (if possible).
And that’s it.
WindowSwap also provides you with some additional filming tips and tricks should you require them to get the best shot possible, and also makes those who submit their window aware that it has thousands of submissions to go through on a regular basis, so your view will likely take some time to appear, but you will be contacted once it’s live.
This not only means you get the opportunity to virtually travel the world right from the comfort of your own home, but you can also show the world life from your unique perspective too and spread the word of Greater Manchester to the masses.
You can head on over to WindowSwap to get started here.
Happy travels.
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Manchester’s skyline crowned one of the most ‘beautiful’ in the world
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s skyline is constantly changing.
Every day, it seems as though a new crane pops up, or plans get submitted to build another new building that’ll alter the landscape of our city, and although some residents aren’t the biggest fan of this, others can still see Manchester‘s beauty regardless.
There are some stunning – and truly iconic – skylines across the world, from New York City to Dubai, and everything in between.
And according to a new study, Manchester is one of them.
Although our city probably wouldn’t be the first to spring to mind when asked to name picturesque skylines, its growth and evolution means it’s been crowned the world’s 46th most beautiful, according to gaming platform Slingo.
Manchester’s skyline has been crowned one of the most ‘beautiful’ in the world / Credit: Chris Curry | Josh Taylor (via Unsplash)
Famous for iconic buildings like Beetham Tower and Deansgate Square that attract a huge number of visitors each year, Manchester’s skyline is said to be ‘one that every traveller needs to visit and admire in their lifetime’.
Manchester ranks among capital cities, business hubs, and popular tourist destinations on the list of iconic skylines from around the world, with New York City taking the coveted top spot and other legendary places such as Chicago, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Melbourne all featuring in the top 10.
To calculate the most aesthetically pleasing skylines, each city’s skyline was processed to determine its aspect ratio, with the renowned golden ratio (1.618) used as a benchmark for aesthetic balance, and then the final rankings were created by combining this score with the number of Instagram posts and hashtags for each city’s skyline.
It ranks among other iconic cities like New York City, Dubai, and Mumbai / Credit: Fran Serra (via Unsplash)
Manchester’s skyline may already be ‘beautiful’ enough as it is, but of course, it’s set evolve in the future with skyscraper developments planned.
Trinity Islands, a proposed residential development comprising five towers, mixed-use developments St Michael’s and Viadux, and residential skyscraper One Heritage Tower, are just a few of the projects planned.
Manchester has changed a lot over the past decade, but how will it look in the next 10 years? That, we’ll just have to wait and see.
Featured Image – Mylo Kaye (via Unsplash)
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‘Open-minded’ single Mancs wanted for new series of hit reality show Love Is Blind UK
Emily Sergeant
The next series of hit reality dating show Love Is Blind UK is currently in the works, and Mancs are being encouraged to apply.
‘Open-minded’ and single Mancs that is, of course.
There’s no denying that Love Is Blind has become a smash-hit since the US version first aired on Netflix in the early days of lockdown in 2020, with four additional seasons airing afterwards, and the UK remake hosted by Matt and Emma Willis first hitting our screens last August.
If you’ve never had the chance to watch it before, the show promotes itself as a social experiment where single men and women look for love and get engaged, all before meeting in person.
The cast members are initially paired up in a speed-dating format, but later can choose to have longer dates, and the daters may extend a marriage proposal whenever they feel ready, but a couple only meets face-to-face for the first time after a marriage proposal is accepted.
The series has gained a cult following over the years, receiving mostly positive reviews by critics too.
Following the success of the first UK series, producers have now put a casting call live and are on the look out for people brave enough to fall in love without seeing their partner in person to apply – including Greater Manchester residents.
A casting call on the Love Is Blind UK website reads: “Love is Blind UK is currently on the lookout for single, open-minded individuals from across the UK and Ireland, who are ready to take the plunge into finding true love.
‘Open-minded’ single Mancs are wanted for the next series of hit reality show Love Is Blind UK / Credit: Netflix
The show is all about discovering whether love really is blind, with participants growing deep connections with potential partners without the initial distractions of physical appearance.
“It’s an exciting and unique approach to finding love, and one that has proven successful in the past… so, if you’re ready for an adventure and want to explore the possibility of finding love in a new and exciting way, then why not consider applying for Love is Blind UK?
“It could be the start of an incredible journey towards finding the one.”
Fancy it then? Applications for the second series of Love Is Blind UK are now live, and you must be 18 years of age or over to apply, and have the right to reside in the UK or Ireland.
Emily Sergeant -
5th January 2021 
