Sunday, August 29, 2010

Postcards!


My latest fun project is participating in Postcrossing (www.postcrossing.com/about). Sign up, send out five postcards to people randomly selected from around the world, and start receiving random postcards from others. So far, I've sent cards to individuals in Russia, Taiwan, Japan, Portugal, China and San Antonio, Texas (each time one of your cards is received and logged in, you get to send another one out, so I've sent six now). My first card came from Dublin, Ireland, and last week I was surprised to see one in our mailbox from Sichuan, China. Very cool! It's free, other than the cost of a card and a stamp. Some participants also indicate that they would like to do "direct swaps," which means you contact each other outside the random assignments you get from the project. I've been enjoying emails from two lovely women, one in New Zealand and one in Japan. I've sent Alaska postcards to both of them and am waiting for theirs to hit my mailbox. When I was a kid, I always liked having pen pals or writing letters to friends left behind when we'd move from one AF base to another so it kinda feels like that again. I do love mail!

6 comments:

Suzassippi said...

Well, how fun! That was an interesting site to visit. I had a penpal from England back when I was in elementary school. Her name was Rosie, and it took forever for our letters to get back and forth.

Gigi said...

Yeah, some of these cards are still taking quite awhile to get where they're going. Most of mine haven't been received yet. No wonder people use email! I had a penpal named Ian from England but it didn't last too long. :) Mostly just kept up with my old friends as we moved from base to base. And my grandparents were always nice letter writers.

Betty said...

Maggie & I both joined you. My first card went to Japan and my 2nd to Poland. Mag's went to Russia. Neither of us rec'd any back yet. When we were in Atlantic City last week, we bought 9 or so. I have to get another name.

Gigi said...

Mom, you will enjoy it! It takes awhile to get your first card. You have to wait till someone receives yours and registers it. I don't think I got my first one for several weeks but then you kinda get into a pattern of sending and receiving. Two more of mine have now been received so I should be getting more soon!

Betty said...

Are you notified when one is received? I read that the ones from Poland have received 10 or so already so will prob register mine.

Gigi said...

Yes, you are notified when someone registers yours as received!