Thanks for telling me about using one of my SA postcards as a bookmark. That’s cool. I agree with you about the power of marking a postcard – it does create a connection. When I was on the Eiffel Tower, they had a post office and I mailed myself a postcard. I did the same on Robben Island. Unfortunately I didn’t have my address book or I would have sent out more postcards from Robben Island. When I was in London I decided to send myself a postcard too. I am still wondering if I will do this for Seattle. Someone I know says he sends himself postcards.

Ricardo: Seriously? Wow. I mean, are you sure you want The Inimitable Ms. Q to have your mailing address? You probably have a PO Box, what with the Hordes Of Female Fans! I’ll enter you in the contest!

There is definitely something about a tangible thought, an inspiration. Like tasting a memory that I haven’t had, or remembering the future.

I do collect postcards when I visit interesting places – mostly because I figure that the musuem/historic site/city/etc are displayed favorably in their pictures – better than I could capture with my cellphone camera on a partially rainy day.

Recently I went hiking with my dad at a nearby historic fort and unexpectedly found a small well stocked gift shop. I asked my dad for $2 to pick up some postcard souvenirs. He gave me $20, and was totally abashed when I came back with a small flat paper bag and $18+ in change. They had one of those cute national park service “passport stamp centers” – where you could use a stamp pad to mark the postcards with the day’s date and a symbol for that park site. I gave him one of the cards with the stamped date and keep another one. There is something powerful about the physical act of marking the postcards – preserving a sense of presence/relating the time with the place. You don’t seem to get this vibe if there is not a connection to the place in the photo – ie if it is something unrelated to the people that have marked the postcard.

Anywho, thanks for the postcards you have sent and congrads to you lucky folks joining the Ms Q postcard fan club!

Christine: Thanks for the offer to send ME a postcard! That is a really cool idea! I’ll have to pass as I don’t give out my mailing address. Gotta keep that air of mystery.

Sue: Thanks for participating in the contest! We really are related!! We certainly think alike what with having a postcard offer!

All: I will email you tonight!

I did something similar to this before I left for Australia, and only one person responded. I did send a postcard to my best friend, though!