Here are the postcards!

I’ve been collecting postcards since 2008. Since then, I’ve sent and received over 1800 postcards from all over the US and dozens of countries. I respond to every postcard I receive, so I’m always open for private swaps.

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My origin story: Back when I was a young boy, I got the idea to write a letter to several world leaders, but I only ever ended up writing the US president and the Queen of England. I was so tickled to receive responses from President Bush and then Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II! Well, they weren’t directly from the world leaders, but rather from their staff members. President Bush sent me an autographed photograph (which I lost later in a show-and-tell accident).

One of the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting sent me a very detailed letter, typed on Buckingham Palace stationery, answering all of my questions about the Queen’s horses and her corgis and her favorite foods. I marveled at the strangely-sized paper, the texture of the embossed coat of arms centered at the top of the page, and the stamps on the envelope. A real person had spent time reading my letter, responding to it, folding it and placing it in an envelope, and then more real human beings had taken the time and effort to transport it from London to some mail distribution center, to an airport in England, to an airport in the US, and back through the various USPS chains until it arrived in a plastic mailbox at the foot of my driveway in southeast Michigan.

I’m still fascinated by this process today, and all for less than the price of some chocolate! So I maintain correspondence with about a dozen penpals across the world, and send and receive postcards. At last count, I have a little under 2,000 postcards that I’ve received. Keep scrolling to see the most recent postcards that have arrived in my mailbox.

Kristopher Geda 8/9/21 Kristopher Geda 8/9/21

Pride Month woes (Germany)

This postcard comes from a PhD student in Germany who’s studying criminology and saw my request for LGBT-related cards. According to her translation, it says “My marketing department says this is modern…” which I absolutely love. Even Death would attempt to get those pink dollars and capitalize on Pride Month! Come July 1st, however, like all other companies, Pride is over finally and they can go back to ignoring LGBT people again.

Kristopher Geda 8/8/21 Kristopher Geda 8/8/21

the best letter (Maryland)

I love the stylized letter “K” here, no doubt chosen as it’s my initial! It’s a shame it was a bit beaten up in the mail, but I guess it just adds character!

Kristopher Geda 8/7/21 Kristopher Geda 8/7/21

intergram (Taiwan)

This postcard comes from a Korean person living in Taiwan. I really love the funny play on the popular social networking app! The art itself is quite nice, too, especially the detail in the eyes and the great scarf!

Kristopher Geda 8/6/21 Kristopher Geda 8/6/21

golden mountains (China, via California)

This terrific postcard comes from a former student of mine who made time to see me for ice cream before returning home to China for a while! I’m so touched that she took the time on her last full day in San Francisco, including rushing back into town after missing a train.
The message on the back is heartwarming and so touching; not only was i impressed with her work and her very strong language skills, but with her heart and motivation, her openness and kindness. I will really miss having her around, and we are the poorer on campus for not having her with us. Still, another university or organization will be very lucky to have her!

Kristopher Geda 8/5/21 Kristopher Geda 8/5/21

Calella de Palafrugell (Catalonia)

Esta postal fue una verdadera sorpresa, llegando desde nuestra amiga Maribel quien vive en España. Hace muchos años que no nos hemos visto, pero seguimos muy amigos y pensamos mucho en ella y su familia. Nos hizo mucha ilusión recibir saludos suyos - ¡me toca ya responderle y quizás visitarla también!

Kristopher Geda 8/4/21 Kristopher Geda 8/4/21

Korfu (Greece)

Voici une carte postale de mon ami Dominique que est de voyage avec son boyfriend à l’île grècque de Korfu. Il m’a envoyé cette carte postale car il sait que j’aime bien cuisiner au four. Quand j’étais en Grèce aussi dans les îles (mais une autre: Tinos) avec mon mari et quelques amis, nous avons tellement adoré la nourritue, surtout les végétaux et le baklava. Incroyable!

Kristopher Geda 8/3/21 Kristopher Geda 8/3/21

Tom of Finland (bis) - Finland

Another terrific card from my penpal Jussi in Finland. This is getting posted quite a bit later than its arrival due to a backlog of postcards. This one arrived after only 19 days of travel (including weekends), which seems pretty good for an international postcard! Tom of Finland images are so closely associated with gay men in the US, but I wonder if they have wider purchase/audience in Finland? They’re certainly a mood!

Kristopher Geda 8/2/21 Kristopher Geda 8/2/21

green tea (China)

This postcard comes from a sender in Qingdao who writes about green tea originating from this area of coastal China. I remember seeing some tea plantations when was visiting Hangzhou and although it was wetter and greener than vineyards here in Northern California, you could definitely see the similarities. My hosts informed me that some of the tea plantations are as valuable as wineries; I don’t doubt it! Tea is very big business!

Kristopher Geda 8/1/21 Kristopher Geda 8/1/21

Volubilis - North Carolina

This postcard comes from my penpal and benefactor Peggy, announcing an upcoming move. I had never heard of Volubilis before, so I was enchanted to learn it’s a partially excavated Berber city in Morocco, commonly believed to be the ancient capital of Mauretania.
Since Peggy typically adheres to the rule of never buying a postcard for a site she hasn’t visited, I have to assume she’s visited this one! Terrific! I don’t think I’ve seen any ancient Roman sites outside of Rome, so I hope one day to see it for myself. Merci, merci!

Kristopher Geda 7/31/21 Kristopher Geda 7/31/21

One World Trade Center - New York

I haven’t been to New York City in ages and One World Trade Center had not even been started I don’t think the last time I was there. What a beautiful and imposing building, although I’m not sure I love the antenna on top. This postcard comes from my nephew’s girlfriend Pooja. I really should visit NYC again soon! Thanks Pooja!

Kristopher Geda 7/30/21 Kristopher Geda 7/30/21

“Mary Ann MacNamara”- South Carolina

This painting is entitled “Mary Ann MacNamara” and as painted by Robert Henri around 1925. It’s part of the collection at the Columbia Museum of Art, the postcard of which was sent to me by my new penpal Jackson. Thanks - the colors are really something! I particularly love the green background.

Kristopher Geda 7/29/21 Kristopher Geda 7/29/21

Pinocchio and Pals - Oregon

Here’s another terrific postcard from my friend Linda, who sends an update on how’s she’s weathering (heh) the heat wave in the Pacific Northwest. I visited Disneyland way back in the 80s or early 90s - I was so young that I don’t know for sure. I definitely remember the characters and finding some of them terrifying. I did, however, really enjoy meeting Minnie Mouse who has always been a favorite!

Kristopher Geda 7/28/21 Kristopher Geda 7/28/21

Órale Mexican Kitchen - New Jersey

Is this card not terrific?! It arrived courtesy of the dearest and best Katie and Mejdulene from an impromptu tip to Jersey City. They recommend this fun place - based on the advertising postcard alone, I’d say it was a hoot! Thanks, friends!

Kristopher Geda 7/27/21 Kristopher Geda 7/27/21

des cartes canadiennes

Voici une collection de carte postales envoyée par ma très chère amie Mélanie. Elle m’a envoyé plusières cartes postales en plus que celles-ci, mais celles-là sont pour renvoyer à des autres gens. Tu peux être sûr si tu recevras une de celles cartes postales, je te dirais d’où elle est venue. Parmis ces cartes, je suis specifiquement touché par la première: la grande carte rose écrite en français et anglais. Peut-être que tu sais déjà qu’il y a quelques mois, les Postes Canada ont offert à chaque resident une carte postale pre-payée pour envoyer aux aimé(e)s. J’ai été tellement interessé par ce program, mais je savais qu’il serait impossible d’en recevoir une (car les cartes postales sont pre-payées uniquement pour le Canada, et il fallait mettre des timbres de plus pour pouvoir les envoyer à l’étrangère).

En plus, Mélanie m’a écrit toute une lettre au dos de ces six cartes postales (et en papier de plus!). Pendant écrire la lettre, elle tombait sommeilleuse et son écriture devenait de plus en plus courbée. J’adore! Tellement elle était duée à m’écrire qu’elle se forçait ne pas dormir pour pouvoir terminer avec la lettre. Tu vois, alors? Une amie à ne jamais trouver l’égale!

Donc en mai quand j’ai reçu le petit colis de Mélanie et j’ai vue les nombreuses cartes postales, j’ai été vachement etonné voir la carte postale fameuse des Postes Canada incluse! Quel cadeau si spécial!

Kristopher Geda 7/26/21 Kristopher Geda 7/26/21

Mackinac Island (Michigan)

This terrific postcard comes from my nieces and others on their trip earlier this month to the famous Mackinac Island! I haven’t been in at least 20 years I don’t think, but I should revisit it again. I remember being charmed by the carlessness (Who loves streets full of cars?! No one!) and the fresh fudge made before your eyes. I hope they enjoyed the trip as much as I imagine it anyway!