քʊʀքʟɛʝɛɨռ

This postcard arrived as a delightful surprise on my birthday, making it feel like an unexpected gift from a fellow postcrosser. It came all the way from China, sent by Ilolo, and it truly brightened my day.

Alabama
The Cotton State

Sent by Carla, the postcard showcases a detailed map of Alabama, highlighting its fascinating landmarks and sights to see. Alabama is famously known as the Cotton State, and it's also referred to as the Yellowhammer State and the Heart of Dixie. In her message, Carla mentioned that they are currently gearing up for Thanksgiving celebrations.

I was delighted to receive two exquisite nature postcards, my first from both Taiwan and Australia. The stunning landscapes depicted on the cards truly captured the beauty of these countries.

Chateau de Gorgier

I'm delighted to receive my first postcard from Switzerland, which was sent by Anabela. 

Only a few days after receiving the last postcard, I've received another one!

BUCURESTI
1) Mitropolia
2) Biserica Stavropoleus
3) Biserica Cretulescu

Arizona

Rachel from Phoenix sent me another postcard with a purple theme, adding to my collection. The postcard features an impressive capture of powerful lightning, giving the impression that the sky was raging with anger that night.

Kameido Tenjin Shrine, Tokyo
Originally built in 1662, pattering after Dazaifu in Kyushu, the park of this shrine has been one of the most popular spots for the wisterias and apricot flowers since the Edo era.

Received my initial postcard from Japan, courtesy of Atsushi from Tokyo. It features a lovely purple or lavender theme, showcasing beautiful wisterias. I can't help but wish to have those flowers in my dream garden, though I'm not sure if that will ever come true.


BLAKENEY
IMAGES of NORFOLK
Blakeney harbour offers safe sailing and the bustling quayside, where rows of boats are always to be seen, presents a colourful scene.

I received my second postcard from the United Kingdom, courtesy of Mavis. Observing the boats in the picture reminded me of a memorable experience during a vacation at our maternal grandparents' place. I recalled riding a small boat, which was both awesome and thrilling. However, since I don't know how to swim, it was also somewhat scary as I couldn't shake off the feeling that the boat might sink at any moment.

Golebnik
Dwarf Golebnik (Birdman) resting for a while on the window sill of the City Hall.

Received my first postcard from Poland, courtesy of Joanna, who is a mom and teacher from Wroclaw. The postcard showcases one of the numerous local dwarfs found throughout her hometown. I was curious about their significance and learned that these dwarfs have a fascinating history. In the 80s, they were part of a local underground protest movement, particularly connected to the Orange Alternative movement in 1982. During that time, these dwarfs with amusing hats and cheerful expressions were used as graffiti to cover up anti-Communist slogans.

Common Sense

Luckily, I stumbled upon this postcard while it was just starting to rain. If I hadn't, the card would have been soaked and ruined. There were a few raindrops on it, causing some of the message to be unreadable. The sender mentioned that the postcard was more pink than purple. Nevertheless, I'm thrilled to receive my first postcard from France and appreciate the sender's effort to find a purple one for me.

It has been 6 weeks since the previous postcard arrived. Today, I received three new postcards from China, the U.S.A., and the Netherlands.

ELLE 15 Years in China

Received my second postcard from China, sent by Li. I'm grateful to the sender for adding another purple card to my collection!

San Francisco
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE FROM BAKER BEACH

The postcard was sent by Megan from San Francisco, and I must highlight her beautiful handwriting. She even took the effort to add some artwork to the dedication part of the card.

HOLLAND

Lindy from the Netherlands sent the postcard, and I noticed that we share similar hobbies, except for her love of cats, which is not my preference.

This postcard was sent before we moved, so it was still addressed to our old place. Luckily, when it arrived, our old landlady personally delivered it to our new address.

22nd Universal Postal Congress, Beijing 1999

Six days from the last postcard received, came another interesting card from another country.

WIEN
Prater-Riesenrad

This came from Claudia of Vienna. It's the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel. Again, I searched on wikipedia, and found out that this is a surviving example of nineteenth century Ferris wheels, and is still in operation today. Erected in 1897, damaged during WWII and was rebuilt. WOW!

There is an undeniable joy in riding Ferris wheels, a thrill that sweeps over you as the vibrant carnival lights dance around, casting a magical glow. With each gentle ascent, a sense of wonder takes hold, and the world below seems to shrink as you ascend to new heights. The anticipation builds, heart racing, as the cabin reaches its zenith, offering breathtaking vistas that stretch far and wide. The feeling of weightlessness and the gentle sway of the wheel create an enchanting experience, leaving you utterly captivated and yearning for more. For those who love to ride Ferris wheels, it's an extraordinary journey where time stands still, and cherished memories are etched in the heart forever.

Just four days after receiving my first 2 postcards, here is another one. The sender forgot to include the Posctcard ID, good thing though, the card has her address. I managed to browse/search through profiles, and luckily found the sender resembling her name.

LILAC FESTIVAL
HIGHLAND PARK
Rochester, New York
The arrival of spring heralds Lilac Time in Rochester usually in May, rarely in late April or early June. Highland Park in Rochester is the site of the world's largest public display of Lilacs spread over 15 acres. This magnificent collection of over 528 varieties includes more than 1500 shrubs.

This came from Lisa of Rochester, where all Kodak cameras came from. First postcard with a purple theme, I did mention on my postcrossing profile that I love that color. Great thanks to the sender, she really made me tremendously happy. My reaction made my third son (1 year 7 months old) so curious, so while I'm preoccupied, he grabbed the postcard. That explains why there's a little tear on lower part of the postcard :P.