I've been a member of Postcrossing since May 2013. When I started, it was because I had inherited a lot of unused, but still usable, stamps from my dad (who died in 2011); and I arrived at the conclusion that the most fun I could have with them was to send them out into the world on postcards - and get interesting postcards from strangers all over the globe in return. In Postcrossing, you don't get to choose to whom you send your own card (you just get an adress allotted to you), and it is also not an exchange in the sense that you get a card back from the same person that you send yours to. But the system does keep count, and you do get a card back for every card you send. (Unless the postal services happen to lose it somewhere on the way... That does occur, but not often.)
Over the past decade, postage has kept going up, up, up, though - and having run out of old "free" stamps of usable value, in later years it has instead become quite an expensive hobby. Besides, my collection of received cards has also grown - and requires a lot more space than the old stamps ever did! So, I've gradually been cutting down a lot on my participation, compared to the early years. I still send (and receive) perhaps one per month or so, though.
Last week I received two. The one above, with the unicorn and the postbox, comes from Poland, and the sender writes: "This is a postcard from last year's [Postcrossing] meeting* in Lodz. 'Unicorn' was theme of it because in Lodz is big monument of unicorn."
* A Postcrossing Meeting is when postcrossers in the same city/country get together in real life and write and send a lot of cards at the same time. Often they also have a special card printed for the occasion. I have received a number of such cards from various countries over the years. If actually written at the meeting, also usually signed by lots of people.
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| Photo by "Zorro 20212" (Wikimedia Commons) |
A tourist website from Lodz gives further background on the unicorn statue:
"We all believe in
unicorns. Yes, we do. In the centre of Lodz, at the intersection of
Piotrkowska and Mickiewicza streets, a large, pastel-coloured,
optimistic tram shelter catches the eye of passers-by. Because of its
colourful canopy and unique visual qualities, the locals call it -
applause for imagination - the Unicorn Stable. The name quickly caught
on and has stuck to the building ever since. --- Thanks to the
popularity of the Unicorn Stable, the Unicorn Monument by Japanese
artist Tomohiro Inaba was erected nearby in 2019. It depicts the unicorn
in dynamic motion, giving the impression that it is dematerialising in
front of our eyes. Right next to the monument is one of the most popular
selfie spots in Lodz."
From Taiwan I received this card about "bubble tea".
The sender writes: "... the most popular drink in Taiwan, Bubble Tea. It's invented in the 1980s. We put milk tea and tapioca pearls together o make bubble tea."
I love tea, but have never come across "bubble" tea. As for tapioca, I don't really know what that is either, even if I've heard/seen the word...
Google AI to the rescue! Tapioca is "a
starch extracted from the root of the cassava plant, a shrub native to
South America. It's a versatile ingredient used in various cuisines,
often as a thickener in both sweet and savory dishes. Tapioca is
naturally gluten-free and can be found in different forms, including
pearls, flakes, and flour" - BUT... "Tapioca starch has a high glycemic index, which means it can cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels".
As I prefer my tea without both milk and sugar, I don't think bubble tea is really my kind of drink. But both these
postcards were reminders that Postcrossing (just like blogs) can be quite educational! :)
Interesting about the postcard crossing and the story from Lodz.
ReplyDeleteThe bubble tea sounds something that I don't think I'll try! Every British school child who suffered school dinners will know all about Tapioca Pudding!
Carol, I'm not going to go looking for it... ;)
DeleteI have friends who love rice pudding. I love tapioca- which is strange because I usually don’t like little lumps in things. But this old dog has learned to enjoy blueberries in spite of seeds. Who knows, maybe I’ll eventually like strawberries like everyone else …ooh the tiny seeds!
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I love fresh strawberries in summer, and since a couple of years I eat blueberries all year round (frozen, mixed with yoghurt), because an eye doctor told me to, after he diagnosed me with macular degeneration...
DeletePostcrossing sounds such an interesting idea. The little unicorn looks like 'My LIttle Pony' with its rainbow-coloured mane and horn.
ReplyDeleteYes, they do seem to be "related" ;)
DeleteTapioca pudding ! I have to agree with Coppa's girl comment about it. At school it was disgusting even with the little dob of jam on top so no was with Bubble tea which I have come across before. Don't let us put you off though
ReplyDeleteBilly, I'm not really feeling tempted anyway! ;)
DeleteThere are Bubble Tea kits here; we got our family some for a special occasion. I want a Unicorn Stable!!!
ReplyDeleteGinny, I'm surprised there isn't already one in your neighbourhood - to compete with the Big Cow and the Big Cat and whatever... ;)
DeleteTapioca pudding reminded me of frog spawn and I could not eat it to save my life when I was young. It's never appeared in my life for half a century until this post. I think I'll keep it that way going forward.
ReplyDeletePS reading about Postcrossing, of course, brought back loads of memories of CJ - not that I was ever involved in Postcrossing - but it was such a part of his life (as, of course, you know).
DeleteGraham, it was from CJ I first heard about Postcrossing in the first place, so for me it's still very much connected with him, too ❤️
DeleteIt is wonderful that you have found such a meaningful and creative way to honour your father's stamp collection while connecting with people around the world through Postcrossing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ro. It's still always a nice surprise to find occasional postcards from far-away places in my post box now and then :)
DeleteThere is a place here in North Texas that sells drinks that look exactly like the picture. I know because just last week a young friend brought me one to try. I did not like it at all! I stalled until she left and put it down the disposal. Those "bubbles" had solidified and I had to really work at scraping the stuff out. Nope. Don't see how anybody could like it. The lumps were tasteless.
ReplyDeleteRose, I very much suspect I wouldn't like it either... ;)
DeleteLike Graham says in his comment, postcrossing reminds me of CJ, too.
ReplyDeleteBubble tea was all the rage here some 20 years or so ago, but it has never interested me enough to give it a try. Tapioca is something I have come across time and time again in old cook books, used for puddings and in sweets mainly - puddings not being my thing, either :-D
An American friend of mine has Polish family roots; she's learned some Polish and has been to Poland a few times. I'll ask here whether she's been to Lodz and seen the Unicorn Stable.
Meike, I guess tapioca is not that popular in Sweden since I never came across it. Unless it's just me living in "bubble" of my own! ;)
DeleteThat's a great idea with the post cards, I might look into that. As for tea, normally I have mine quite strong, a little bit of milk with honey and I've tried bubble tea once, it's ok but I wouldn't have it all the time.
ReplyDeleteAmy, it costs nothing but a postcard and a stamp to give Postcrossing a try. The only warning is that it can become kind of addictive... ;-)
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