Letter: Postcards from the edge … of the world

I have a passport with no stamps, but I am traveling the world through Postcrossing. I have enjoyed it so much that I felt compelled to share my early experience. It’s the project I’ve been most passionate about … ever … hands down.

Postcrossing is an internet project that lets members from across the world exchange snail-mail postcards. I set up a free profile that lets others know a little about me and my interests, and requested a maximum of five addresses to send postcards to. When I receive the addresses, I look at the profiles of the individuals to get an idea of which postcard to send.

When one of the cards I’ve sent out is received, I get an email that begins: “Hurray!” and “Good news ….” At this point, my address is given to another member to send me a postcard. I also can request a new address to send another postcard.

The first postcard that I received (ever in life) was from Poland. What fun. The next day, I received a postcard from Taiwan. I received one from the Netherlands with an actual Postcrossing postage stamp affixed to it, which was such a delight. It’s always a surprise to receive one, because I never know when or from whom it will arrive.

It took almost exactly one torturous month before I received my first postcard, but the elation I feel every time one of mine is received or I receive one is immeasurable. I have just as much fun sending them out as I do receiving them. Postcrossing maintains copious statistics, which is great because I adore having access to every detail possible. It’s the perfect combination of real snail mail and present-day technology. I mean, who doesn’t love getting something in the mail with fun stamps and a cheery message that isn’t a bill or an advertisement?

Sumter

This story was originally published April 19, 2015 at 11:00 PM with the headline "Letter: Postcards from the edge … of the world."