Greetings!

Hello one and all,

I hope you are staying safe through this crazy time. Please remember to think of others and yourself as well.

Since my time is a bit more flexible now, I will be updating with pictures of postcards. I have a big back log of them!

The first one I wanted to feature was one I sent myself from Andorra, from the Spanish Post office there. They do not have their own postal service and rely on the French and Spanish Post. The French post was already closed when I arrived there (around noon-1pm). Trying to find postcards there on a limited time was a feat in itself! They don't have a lot of souvenir stores in La Vella, but they did have a lot of tobacco shops and other shopping stores.I finally found a tobacco shop called La Casa Des Tabacs that sold postcards and other souvenirs. It was a race against time because I was only there for a few hours!

The bus station in Andorra was probably the nicest one I have been to. It was small and had a lot of direct trips to Barcelona, since I was visiting my friend there. You need a passport to go in and out of the country, because they are not an EU or Schengen country. The gist of that is because they have always stuck to being an independent nation (they don't want to join Spain or France) and their Catalan heritage has a strong presence in this decision as well. The buildings in the city were just stacked and really close to each other, I didn't see any houses as there were mainly apartment buildings and businesses.

Overall, I had an interesting time in Andorra. The next time I will go will be to check out their thermal pools and spas! I really wish I had two days to explore the country.

Eerie nod to the future. I think this was one of the cool stamps I sent out. This was designated to send a card to the US, 

Andorra! The land of the Pyrenees Mountain dogs!

I'm back again! I promise to be more consistent...

Once again, life has gotten in the way...I was finally organizing my postcards and I realized I should update on some of the cards I've gotten. I have also taken a break from sending cards through official postcrossing, but my goal for this new (school) year is to send at least one or two out a month.

This postcard was sent a little over a year ago from Tajikistan. The sender was doing a study abroad there and loved everything about the country from the food, the people, to the mostly mountainous region the country is located in. It's definitely on my list of places to check out!

UN New York Postcards

In January, I received a few postcards from my friend Denise when she went to the UN in New York. I have visited before, but never thought to send myself cards.
I met Denise through the facebook postcrossing forum about a year ago. She has been incredibly kind in sending me cards during her travels. We share a love of postcards and the comradery that comes with it. Send postcards and don't make wars.

Postcard from Benin and my return

Hello everyone! It's been a while. There have also been some changes.
I have since moved to fort worth and have become a teacher. I'm trying to build up my social circle and also get back into postcrossing.
I have gotten a lot of cards since I took a hiatus, so I will try to catch up.
This weekend I received this card from Benin. It was sent March 10th.

Benin is located in Western Africa, its neighbors are Togo, Nigeria, and Niger. 

The official language of Benin is French.

Milk maiden postcard from Nigeria

Hello everyone!

I am excited because I received a card from Nigeria. Pictured are milk maidens in traditional wear. The stamp is also very lovely! I am glad to finally have a card from another Africa. Thanks, Ahmed!

Beautiful temple from Malaysia

Hello!

I have many cards from Malaysia, but for some reason I have not written about them! I recently got this card from a swap on facebook. It was such a beautiful card, that I had to have it. This is a picture of the Thean Hou temple, dedicated to the goddess of mercy. It is a six-tiered temple located just south of Kuala Lumpur, and it has its own marriage registry office. It is also popular in wedding photography. Thanks, Yih Ling!

Belgian Beers

As much as I like coffee, I enjoy a good beer as well. The Belgians are also well known for their breweries and love of fine beers. I like this card because it shows the different types of belgian beers, along with their corresponding drinking glass. Cheers!

Postal greetings from Macedonia

I was finally able to get Macedonia into my collection! I really liked this viewcard because it gives you the aspect of what Macedonia is like. Ohrid is on a Lake Ohrid, is the 8th largest city with a population of 42,000, and Ohrid is notable for once having had 365 churches, one for each day of the year, and has been referred to as a "Jerusalem (of the Balkans)". Thanks for the swap, Anita!

Hello Kitty from Croatia

I received this cute Hello Kitty card, and it's a tourist card to boot! It was very cute, so it caught my attention. Thanks, Agi!

Wales

While setting up swaps, user Anu contacted me for a swap. Just yesterday, the postcrossing website did a feature about her, so I am glad to get to know her a little better! She sent me a card from Wales (although I usually want them from the country of origin, Wales is part of the the UK and uses the same stamps as the other kingdoms (or countries). This card is a lovely landscape of the shores of Wales. Thanks, Anu!

3D card from Japan

I received this 3D card from Japan. It is absolutely adorable! I really like the little bunny at its restaurant. This was sent to me by an American currently teaching English in Japan. She is actually from one state over, Louisiana. Thanks, Victoria and good luck this new school year!

Wonderful gift from Ghana

Hello everyone!

A few weeks ago, someone named Hardy from Ghana was disappointed that a lot of people in the postcard swapping community had a huge mistrust for swappers there. He went on a good-will crusade to prove otherwise. He kept his word and sent (I heard around 100) postcards wanting nothing in return except to be a good citizen of the earth, peace, and to be kind to others. Thank you Hardy and I give all of you this piece of advice: if you are having a bad day, assume others are having one worse than you. You'd be surprised how many people go through daily battles without showing signs of fatigue or battle scars. Work hard, be nice.

shaped card from Bulgaria

Hello everyone!
Last week I received a shaped card from Bulgaria. I have two other blank cards, but wanted one sent from there. It is a very lovely card with traditional clothing. Thanks for the swap, Samantha!

Card from Serbia

I was able to get this beautiful card from a teacher that needed help with a classroom project. It was the first card I received from Serbia, but I am just sharing it now! Note: I have a huge backlog of cards, so I updated when I can. Some are more recent than others, but my hope is to upload one from each country! 

Serbia also used to be a part of former Yugoslavia and is in eastern Europe. As always, it's my hope to visit, since it looks like a very nice country!

Card from Serbia

I received a wonderful multi-view card from Serbia. I like the card because it shows the various aspects of life in Serbia. Serbia was also part of the former Yugoslavia, but has since formed its own sovereign. 

Teapots from the Phillipines

I received these wonderful teapots from April in the Philippines. The Philippines is a nation of about 100 million people, and consists of over 7,000 islands. It looks like it has many beautiful beaches. These were designed by a filipino artist. Makes me want to have tea time! Thanks, April!

Mail from Montenegro

I met a new friend through the postcrossing forum. At the time, she was teaching english at a school in Montenegro. She is currently briefly in the US awaiting her next adventure/assignment. Montenegro used to be part of Yugoslavia, and more recently was a state with Serbia. They divided again in 2006. Best wishes in  new chapter you are starting, Justine!

"Greetings from...." collection continues to grow! From Italy.

Chelle was kind enough to buy some of the "Greetings from..." postcard series and send me some from their perspective country! This time I received one from Italy. She tells me she had a wonderful time sightseeing Wish I could be there! Italy was a wonderful country. Safe travels, Chelle!

Chat Bisous from Monaco!

My friend Katie is currently traveling with her husband and her adopted daughter Chelle's family in southern Europe. She mentioned they would be in Monaco, and I am happy to report that their card safely reached me! They mentioned that finding cards and the post office was an adventure, I am sure Katie will tell me all about it when she returns!

Beautiful dancer from Thailand

There was a postcrosser who was looking for birthday cards, so I sent her one. In exchange, she was able to send me a card of a typical dancer in Thailand. I have always found their intricate costumes so charming and beautiful. Thanks for the wonderful swap!