OFFICIAL Card - Philippines

This card has certainly seen better days. I think I can honestly say this is the most mangled card I have even received, trust me the scan does not showcase the crumples and folds. Across the back is a stamp that says "Received at CMEC Wet", I would say that is an understatement! The card came from Grace and shows a map of the Philippine island she lives on, Cebu. Her message was great and the travel lines certainly just add to the character.

OFFICIAL Card - Portugal

It is funny sometimes when you receive a card and you can't even remember they last time you "saw" that country. Portugal, Spain, Brazil - they all fall into that category for me. The ID numbers never seem to be that far off from the Canadian count so it makes me wonder if Canada is on the "rare" side for some receivers too. This card arrived early November and was a full year since I received an official from that country. Diana wrote a great message about the state of affairs at her house having moved the month before and the day she was having. A great map and views- thank you!

Direct Swap - Lindsay from Canada

From the same Facebook group I mentioned yesterday came this swap with Lindsay. She lives in Toronto so I sent her a few blank "arty" type cards as they are not so easy to find. In return, I received this great map card of Canada.

Thank You - Claudia from Germany

Claudia and I have swapped a few times before. She recently was looking for cards with the Mona Lisa on them for a friend. Even I was surprised that I had one and could help her out. As a thank you she sent me this great map card of Germany also showing the coat of arms for the various states. The stamp and cancellation are icing on the cake. Thank you Claudia!

OFFICIAL Cards - Germany

Some days you get a card(s)  and the twilight zone coincidences are staggering. These cards are examples of that moment. Birgit lives in Berlin and sent this great card showing  a map of the U-Bahn (subway) in her city. What got me is the very same day I also received a map of the city of Hamburg from Heike. Same country, same day, similar theme and the ID numbers were consecutive too. What are the odds! Great cards from both ladies too!

This is my first The Little Prince stamp from Germany. I have had so many references to this book cross my path lately, I really need to read it. I know, I never have and by the sounds of it that is weird! Have you?

Random Act of Smiliness - Hilarie from USA

Hilarie was in a "postcard writing mood" and I was the lucky recipient of one of the cards she wrote one day at the end of September. My very first trip on a plane when I was 8 was to Cape Cod. The stamps she chose from the issue featuring Barnum & Bailey posters are fantastic! Perfect card for me - a great map and a great trip down memory lane for me - thank you Hilarie!

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

This colourful map of Taiwan was sent to me from Szu-Ying. She wrote that the card illustrates the characteristics each city is known for - fun!

OFFICIAL Card - Ukraine

Tanya from Kharkov, Ukraine sent this interesting world map for my collection. Thank you!

OFFICIAL Card - RUssia

This stylish map design was sent to me from Yuliya in Moscow. She wishes me "all good things in life". I love it, so positive! Thank you and I wish the same for you.

Direct Swap - Greece from Sini

So this card kind of has a funny story to it, or at least it has made me laugh. Since the postal increase I have been on a very tight and strict budget when it comes to purchasing stamps. I am slowing down on both officials and swaps and while tough at times it still is keeping me busy and happy. I saw an offer in the Forum offering cards from Corfu and "jumped" at the chance. Wrote my note, gave my offers thought the user name looked familiar but couldn't place it, fingers crossed they liked my offers. No sooner did I hit send and then I realized "Wait, Corfu isn't Cyprus"! I had totally misread the offer. Sini remembered our previous swap ( I knew the name was familiar!) and liked what I had to offer, I was too embarrassed to go back and tell her I had it wrong - yet, I have no problem sharing it here! Either way, it is a great map card she sent me....even if it isn't of Cyprus!

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

This map card from Taiwan shows the geography in the year 942. Jerry tells me he likes lighthouses and asks if there are many in Canada. Funny when you live "inland" as I do it is something you never really think about. I know there are many in coastal towns and even along the shores of Lake Ontario. Out of sight, out of mind, I guess.

OFFICIAL Card - Russia

Matvey passed his last university exam the day he sent me this card - congratulations!! It shows an outline map with various things associated with the country. Very nice and a great stamp too!

Direct Swap - Lebanon from Agnieska

Agnieszka posted on the Postcrossing forum an offer of cards from Lebanon. She was there on an extended visit from Poland. I was quite happy when she agreed to swap as I didn't have a card from this country yet. She had me send her card to Poland which was received without a problem. I in turn received this great map/flag combo. Another super swap, thank you Agnieszka!

Direct Swap - Haya from Madagascar

I am totally doing the happy dance after receiving this great postcard. Haya lives in Madagascar. I saw her post on a Facebook group, she was offering an arty type card that was cute but personally not my style. On a whim I messaged her to see if she had any tourist cards and lo and behold 8 days later this fabulous shaped card arrives in my mail box. Talk about fast, I am impressed! She wrote saying Menabe is a region of her country. Very beautiful and very rocky. Thank you Haya for the wonderful card and swap!

OFFICIAL Card - Czech Republic

Dalibor lives in Ostrava with his family. I like the card he chose for me - multi view and a subtle outline map of the country.

OFFICIAL Card - South Korea

KyungA lives in Seoul, South Korea and sent me this reproduction of an old map of her country. Once again, I was lucky that she wrote some simple phrases, with pronunciations on her card. Love seeing the different languages of the world.

Direct Swap - Sandra from Serbia

Sandra is a kindergarten teacher and was looking for cards from around the world for her classroom. I sent her a card of one of my most favourite places - Niagara Falls! In exchange she sent me this great map card of Serbia, my first card from this country!

OFFICIAL Card - USA

Another map card for my collection. This one coming from Jenn who lives in New York City it shows the Finger Lake region of that State. She writes that it is about a 5 hour drive north of her.

Random Act of Smiliness - Bermuda from J.J.

Lucky J.J. was travelling once again! Lucky me, she sent me a card!!! This time she headed to the island of Bermuda for her birthday. Lucky lady!

OFFICIAL Card - Germany

I live in the land of parallel and perpendicular roads. 90% is a grid and everyone once in awhile you get a curve. Even then it is usually because of some natural feature like a lake or something. When I see streets such as the ones on this map card of Hamelin, Germany sent to me from Ricarda I am amazed. No rhyme or reason in a sense and maybe just a bit too much for someone who is used to being so square.