Traveling around the world by collecting postcards

I recently brought with me to my home province my vast collection of postcards. As I opened the container where I kept all my postcards, I remember the places I have visited and those which I yearn to visit one day.

My post card collection. Soon it will be a trunkload of these scenic photos.
My post card collection. Soon it will be a trunkload of these scenic photos.

Many of the cards were bought in places where I visited, because they’re handy and easy to give out. But majority of my collection were received through Postcrossing, a site where members can swap post cards. I’ve stopped swapping in this site for about four years already and my collection gathered dust until I transported it to Bacolod. I remember those days when I was still active wherein I would always look forward to going home to see if a post card has arrived in my mail. But work got in the way and I never got the time to continue with my Postcrossing.

It is interesting to send a post card to a total stranger, sharing about the Philippines and what they can find in my country. It is even more interesting to receive cards from people I’ve never met, yet, pleasantly tell me about themselves. These are individuals from different corners of the earth and we’re all tied together by our passion to know each others’ culture. Sometimes, I would learn a thing or two about their language as they include it in their note. There are other strangers who received post cards from me who responded and became my pen friends.

One time, I received a post card from a kindergarten class from Germany. Getting into Postcrossing was their way of knowing about the places and people outside their own country. They place the cards they receive on their bulletin board so that all of them can revisit these cards every now and then.

All in all, my collections contained cards from these countries:

  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • Brunei
  • Cambodia
  • Canada
  • Carribean
  • Chile
  • China
  • Cyprus
  • Czech
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Laos
  • Lithuania
  • Macau
  • Malaysia
  • Mexico
  • Micronesia
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates (UAE)
  • United Kingdom (UK)
  • United States of America (USA)
  • Vietnam
  • Zimbabwe
Beautiful architecture and landscape of Ottawa, Canada.
Beautiful architecture and landscape of Ottawa, Canada.
Wouldn't you like to take a dip in this breathtaking blue sea in Brazil?
Wouldn’t you like to take a dip in this breathtaking blue sea in Brazil?
Skyscrapers and urban cities are frequently featured in US postcards.
Skyscrapers and urban cities are frequently featured in US postcards.
A serene garden in China.
A serene garden in China.
One of the UNESCO heritage sites that I want to visit someday.
One of the UNESCO heritage sites that I want to visit someday.
A magical night view of Madrid, Spain.
A magical night view of Madrid, Spain.
I long to walk these alleys in those towns and cities in the Greek Islands.
I long to walk these alleys in those towns and cities in the Greek Islands.
Snow and reindeers bring my childhood dream of meeting Santa Claus close to reality.
Snow and reindeers bring my childhood dream of meeting Santa Claus close to reality.
The river, the bridges, the lights aglow give a surreal feel to Prague.
The river, the bridges, the lights aglow give a surreal feel to Prague.
The Petronas Towers look familiar. I've visited KL twice and I hope to explore more of the city once again.
The Petronas Towers look familiar. I’ve visited KL twice and I hope to explore more of the city once again.
A tranquil landscape in Russia.
A tranquil landscape in Russia.

Sorting them out, I felt like I was transported to these countries. I loved the city views, the lighthouses, the beaches, the festivals, and the breathtaking scenery and landscapes.

One of my favorites is the winter in Finland, with the reindeers and all. I also love the charm of the European cities. I sespeciallylove Greece as I dream of going to the Greek Islands someday.

I also reminisce my travels in Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia and China from the postcards I bought from these countries. I think it’s time for me to revive my collection. Hopefully, I’ll be able to visit all the places in these cards and have my photo taken in those landmarks.

One Comment

  1. Thanks for posting nice views….

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