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 9/12/23 Kristopher Geda 9/12/23

the Midwest: it’s like this (Iowa)

I’m not sure how ironic the makers of this postcard intended it to be, or whether this is a genuine depiction of the openness and beauty (and whiteness) of the Midwest. In either case, I think both interpretations hold, which is probably why our wry friends Edmundo and Renée chose to send this from a recent family trip to Iowa.

Kristopher Geda 9/11/23 Kristopher Geda 9/11/23

Koblenz (Germany)

This is the summer of cruise ships it seems! Dominique sends this one from Germany, writing about how many Alsatians choose to take cruises down the Rhine. Dominique and his partner, however, prefer a car trip down the romantic valley. After our other friends’ experience on a river cruise down the Rhine, I might be convinced to give it a try, however!

Kristopher Geda 9/10/23 Kristopher Geda 9/10/23

Elk Rapids (Michigan)

The same day as Arthur’s card arrived, so did his brother’s - Walter, my youngest nibling. He, too, was visiting the family vacation home and sent this delightful postcard. Kudos to the USPS for delivering the postcard, even though the address was written on the wrong side of the card and semi-legibly, and was only addressed to me as “Tío Geda.” Kids bring such joy to every task!

Kristopher Geda 9/9/23 Kristopher Geda 9/9/23

Elk Lake (Michigan)

I am, sadly, not in the habit of posting the obverse of postcards, but it’s a shame in this case because this card comes from my third-youngest nibling Arthur from a trip his family took to the vacation home in Elk Rapids. He send important news of his new stuffy, a rainbow chameleon. I hope to see the new friend some time soon!

Kristopher Geda 9/8/23 Kristopher Geda 9/8/23

knoedel stein (Austria)

By now, I can recognize these lovely Tiroler Volkskunstmuseum postcards from a meter away. The design is absolutely iconic. Thanks to Dominique for sending this postcard from a quick pop over to Austria while on a trip to Austria.

Kristopher Geda 9/7/23 Kristopher Geda 9/7/23

Monticello (Virginia)

My former colleague and now friend Heather visited Virginia with her husband, including a stop at the infamous Monticello. She aptly writes “History is quite captivating and thought-provoking.”

Kristopher Geda 9/6/23 Kristopher Geda 9/6/23

birthday wishes (Canada)

These two postcards arrived within a birthday card from the ever thoughtful Ray in British Columbia, Canada. What a great encapsulation of birthday wishes: a celebrating dog and a beautiful friend to wish health, peace, luck, and love.

Kristopher Geda 9/5/23 Kristopher Geda 9/5/23