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.

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 Kristopher Geda

Matera, Sasso Barisano (Italy)

My Italian penpal sent me this beautiful postcard from his long trip around Italy. There are so many terrific places I’d love to visit yet. The list keeps growing longer!

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Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany)

Voici une carte postale de mon ami Dominique qui écrit que le jour 8 mai est jour ferié en France pour célébrer la victoire de la 2ème Guerre Mondiale. Il écrit également qu’en Allemagne, ce jour n’en est pas tellement célébré, bien sûr. Ça m’intéresse beaucoup car le Canada et le Mexique, nos voisins plus proches observe les mêmes jours feriés quant aux guerres. Je n’ai jamais pensé à être à côté d’un ancien pays énémie.

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evening lighting in Amsterdam (the Netherlands)

Our dear friends Cynthia and Tracy are on a long-awaited trip to Europe to enjoy a river cruise on the Rhine. Before they departed, they enjoyed Amsterdam and all it had to offer culinarily and historically. I’ve only been to Amsterdam a few small times, but this postcard certainly captures the summer spirit of the city.

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Sedona (Arizona)

The scan didn’t do this postcard justice, of course, but trust me when I say that the colors are beautiful and hyper saturated. It’s printed on real wood and has quite a bit of thickness to it, so I was really delighted to receive it! Thanks, Tristan!

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Humboldt County (California)

Our friend Kimee was in northern California for a marathon and had a great time! IN between the training, preparation, and recovery, she found the time to visit a stationer, pick this delightful card, write it, and mail it. I’m so thrilled - congratulations Kimee on your race!

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Nieuwe Kerk (the Netherlands)

It’s unusual for postcards sent on the same day to arrive on the same day, even more so for those sent from abroad! Katie, Andy’s former classmate, sent this postcard after climbing the tower. She left me with the great advice to “stretch daily.”

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Dutchboyz Amsterdam (the Netherlands)

I’m surprised how clearly this postcard scanned, given that it’s a glorious lenticular postcard! It comes from Andy’s former classmate Katie who was visiting Amsterdam a few weeks ago. How did I get so lucky to receive postcards not just from my friends, but friends of my family members?!

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Applaus Tausch (France)

À present, je reconnais l’origine de cettes cartes postales. Le moment que je vois un fond de couleur unie avec du texte en majuscule, je sais qu’elle est arrivée de Dominique en France, et la carte postale vient du Musée Tiroler Landes en Autriche. Celle-ce est la nonante-neufième que j’ai reçue de Dominique envoyée de la France!

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microscopic troubles (Nevada)

I sent Andy to Las Vegas with some fresh-baked cookies to give to his brother during the visit. In exchange, Tristan sent this postcard, which is a truly great wish! Here’s to microscopic troubles, indeed!

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retro motel (Nevada)

Andy traveled to Las Vegas to visit his brother last week and of course he took the time to write me a postcard from his trip. I think I’ve seen this postcard before in Las Vegas old town, but I’m not certain. Thanks, husband!

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Neopolitan pizza (Italy)

This delicious postcard came courtesy of Lino who is traveling a bit around Italy. In Naples, he sent this round, irregularly-shaped postcard asking me the question, “Do you like pizza?” I’m a bit surprising at this question - who doesn’t like pizza? I especially love Neopolitan-style pizza.

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have a seat (British Columbia)

Ray writes how this “is an interesting card from where and when [he doesn’t] know.” He also wonders the same things I do: are these men gay and did they pose this photo deliberately? I guess we’ll never know.

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Yo! (Pennsylvania)

This postcard carries some deep inside jokes between the sender, Edmundo, and my husband. I’m lucky to privy to it. Edmundo writes that he signed up for a transit card and rode the bus to get me this lovely postcard.

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Sun Moon Lake (Taiwan)

What a glorious surprise from our dear friend Pei-Yi who’s home visiting friends and family. She writes that Sun Moon Lake is one of her favorite places in Taiwan and is eager to show us this and many others. I’m certainly going to take her up on that offer!

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Roswell, New Mexico (Michigan)

Leah knows how I am terrified of aliens - but she’s right that this one isn’t bad because a) it’s a cartoon, and b) the alien is dead (or dying!)… so it’s all good fun. Technically, this photo was sent to Andy and me and “PINOT” - he got the star treatment naturally.

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bird of paradise (Hawai’i)

The scan doesn’t really do this postcard justice, because it’s made of solid wood. It’s quite solid - perhaps 1/4 inch thick! The printing of the colors is so beautiful, too. Thanks to our neighbors Robynn and Oliver for sending this “aloha” from Maui!

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Milano (Italy)

Lino sends this postcard from Milan while on a trip to celebrate his daughter’s wedding. What a coincidence because Milan is one of two Italian cities that I’ve visited (albeit way back in 2005).

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Drew (Pennsylvania)

T sent this postcard from Pennsylvania, not certain that I like Drew Barrymore (a nepo baby, in fact!) or “Scream.” In fact, I like both of them - I remember being really blown away by Scream when I first saw it. This opening scene was particularly memorable.

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More to come from the past…