Off the wire
• Chinese VP meets New Zealand deputy PM  • Chinese diplomacy pushes local business to global stage: forum  • 1st Ld-Writethru: Chinese shares rally to regain 4,000-point mark  • Thawing ties with U.S. boosts Cuba's tourism  • Cambodian parliament passes NGO draft law despite protests  • 2nd LD Writethru: Death toll of Afghan suicide bombing rises to 33  • Survey shows record numbers of humpback whales in New Zealand waters  • China demands Japan accelerate destruction of abandoned chemical weapons  • Urgent: Chinese shares continue broad rally on Monday  • High-speed railway on trial run in China's farthest north  
You are here: 　 Home

Italian couple hugging their way around Australia

Xinhua, July 13, 2015 Adjust font size:

A young Italian couple traveling around Australia are surprising strangers around the country by offering impromptu hugs in busy city malls and tourist spots.

Erica Della Mura, 20, and partner Nicolo Marmiroli, 21, draw crowds by standing in busy areas wearing a blindfold and with their arms outstretched.

A cardboard sign and small coin collection tin alerts passers- by what the gesture means.

And the strangers receive a feel-good hug, but with no strings attached. Donations are not required.

"I trust you. Do you trust me? Hug me. The hugs are free but if you want help us travel this beautiful country. Thanks so much," the sign reads.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Monday reported the reactions of strangers are widely varied.

"We like to do this because it's really, really beautiful," Della Murra said.

"A lot of people say 'thanks'. A lot of people say 'safe travels'. A lot of people say nothing."

Some even cry. Endi