The most exciting new thing I’ve done in a while, is sign up to PostCrossing.com. As somebody who is thrilled by receiving postcards (irrespective of whom they are from), on discovering this service through dear friend Grizzled Old Sean [ha!:)] I haven’t been able to contain my excitement.
Ok ok, I’m not getting orgasms from this service, but it’s super cool because you get to send and receive postcards (real ones IN THE POST!) from complete strangers. PostCrossing currently has over 86,500 members from 191 countries, and 300 postcards are sent every hour!
It’s not entirely like Pen Pals, because the person I send a postcard to may not necessarily send me one back. But that’s cool, because I’m not in it to make new friends, I just want random postcards!
Today I sent a postcard to someone in New Orleans and to another in Metsapyyntie (!?) in Finland. The more you send, the more you receive; you can even do personal swaps if you’re a collector of kinds.
Most people I’ve shared this info with think it’s lame, I think it’s awesome. I don’t want to compare it to Post Secret (which I also think is awesome), because it’s completely different. Anyway, will post a picture of the first postcard I receive! You can read more details about the service here.
Thanks for sharing this information. I love to write and enjoy hearing from new people, without expecting it to turn into a long-term friendship.
I actually do miss receiving real mail! You’ve inspired me to join up as well! As a single mother I need all the excitement I can get (you know, sans potty training.)
Really interesting post! =)
Nice to see I made a convert, and it’s even having a ripple effect! I smiled when you mentioned one of your first officials is to Finland. That country is crazy about postcards! They send and receive cards way out of proportion to their population.
In the two months I’ve been a member I’ve sent 17 cards and received 17. Five of the ones I’ve sent have been to Finland and nine of the ones sent to me have been from there. All Postcrossers feel they know Finland very well.
I asked some Finnish members why it was so big there and nobody was sure. The organization had to talk to the Finnish post office to explain why they were suddenly being inundated with cards!
OMG..Abha,I’m joining up right away…what memories this brings..In school days,we had this ‘post cards chain’, and,I’d sent some of our rich Indian culture based postcards and received some lovely ones as well!!Tks ever so much..and,waiting to see your first PC review.:)(Wink-btw,let me know ur postal add-I’ll send u a PC too!That’s till the time we have a DBM..haha)
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And, yes,welcome back!!I’m glad you’ve got the inspiration to post again!
Hey AmitL. There’s a private style of swap called “tagging” that sounds similar to what you used to do. There’s a section dedicated to it on the Postcrossing forum. If you want to do a private swap with me, drop me a line. I’m in Spain, although I’ll be up in Oxford starting in April. I’d love to get a card from India or UAE.
Strangely enough, Abha indirectly got me into Postcrossing, which then led her to join. She sent me a card from UAE and I realized I hadn’t recieved a card in ages. Then I thought, “There must be some sort of trading program on the net” and I found Postcrossing. I’m still waiting for that second card she promised me. . .
Hi,Sean…great- I’m definitely interested..:)Let me see if I can get ur email id from your link.
hey! this is cool… Anura told me you sent her a postcard too!
Am I getting one soon?
Hi! That’s nice to read! Have you ever tried out http://www.penpalglobal.com!