A woman who had booked a romantic holiday in Paris with her partner decided not to let the end of her relationship stop her from experiencing the romance of Paris.
Heartbroken, Kristina Kuqi decided to recreate the iconic pose of a couple kissing in front of the Eiffel Tower, but in absence of a boyfriend, she called on a stranger to complete her French kiss.
The resulting photo was so satisfying to her that she began a tradition of doing the same thing in front of landmarks all around the world.
"My ex-boyfriend and I were going to travel to Paris together, amongst other places. When we broke up, I had to rethink my initial plans," she said.
"I've always wanted a picture kissing at the Eiffel Tower."
Kuqi headed to Paris with her girlfriends and and was sightseeing when the idea of a fleeting kiss with a stranger came to mind.
"I'm looking around and I see a gorgeous guy and think to myself 'you need the romantic picture you've always wanted and now is the chance'.
"When I told my friend I was thinking of asking this guy for a kiss, we both started freaking out about it."
Kuqi first asked if the man had a girlfriend, and then popped the question.
"I was looking at him, trying my best to keep my cool and asked, 'Will you kiss me right there in front of the Eiffel Tower for a picture?'. And in the coolest manner, he just said 'yes, of course'."
From then on, Kuqi says asking random men to kiss her has built her confidence and helped her get over self-esteem issues.
"I would always walk away with the biggest smile on my face and feel so confident. It kind of became an adrenaline rush for me."
Her photos have attracted plenty of attention online - but not all of it has been positive.
"Some people have been making comments like 'did you forget about herpes?', but at the end of the day we're all kissing strangers at parties, clubs and on first dates."
Despite the moments of passion, Kuqi knows nothing of the men she has posed with.
"I haven't talked or seen the guys after those kisses, I don't even know their names but I really hope they're doing well."
Caters/Newshub.
