In the twenty-first century, people are increasingly complaining that no one cares about paper letters. Fast, convenient, but, alas, unemotional emails have replaced the tedious waiting for an envelope in the mailbox, bright stamps, the smell of paper, and long writing of a response for several pages. Of course, time does not stand still, but still, sometimes you really want to plunge into the atmosphere associated, first of all, with the time when simple letters were in use.
Postcrossing is not a new phenomenon. We can say that this is a kind of international correspondence. Many have heard about it, but, however, not everyone knows what the essence of this project, unique for our century, is. So, postcrossing - what is it, why is it necessary and how to get involved? Let's try to figure it out.
History
It's best to start with a story. In 2005, the Portuguese Paolo Magalhaes, yearning for paper messages, decided to create an innovative project, the essence of which is to exchangepostcards from around the world. It would seem nothing special, but today there are entire communities dedicated to this unusual hobby that unites people of various faiths, nationalities, ages and interests. Everyone can find something interesting.
The meaning of the word "postcrossing" comes from the fusion of two English words: "mail" and "exchange". By the way, someone says that the idea of sending postcards came to Magalhaes after he got acquainted with bookcrossing - this is when books are left in some public places so that other people can read them. In any case, post offices all over the world are now actively promoting the development of a hobby that allows you to maintain interest in traditional forwarding.
How to join
Usually people come to postcrossing who not only miss paper messages, but want to learn something new. And the point here is not only that on postcards you can see places that the addressee has not even heard of, animals that have not been seen in any textbook, some fabulous stories that are breathtaking in their realism. Here, rather, the opportunity to be part of a single, global whole that unites different people plays a role.
It is worth noting that many are interested in the word "postcrossing", what it is, we would like to know. Every day the number of fans of this unusual hobby is growing, and you can join their ranks by registering on the official website of the project. You need to enter your addressfill out a profile where the subject of the desired postcards is selected (this is very convenient for collectors) and a little about yourself is told. Then the resource itself gives out five addresses to which messages can be sent. And with the first postcard dropped into the mailbox, a person becomes a full-fledged participant in postcrossing.
Where are the postcards from
Where can I get postcards for postcrossing? About seven years ago, when he was just starting to make his way to Russian-speaking countries, it was almost impossible to buy decent and beautiful pictures. Now the mail has gone towards people who are thirsty for communication: in any post office you can see a huge number of a wide variety of postcards. Naturally, national themes dominate: beautiful landscapes, rare animals, paintings, photos of theatrical productions, and so on. But sometimes something completely unusual happens.
More postcards for postcrossing can be bought in bookstores. True, they are less common there, but you can still try to look. And no one canceled homemade postcards! It was with them that most of the current Russian-speaking postcrossers started. Cardboard, colored pencils, felt-tip pens and fantasy can be a real miracle for someone on the other side of the ocean.
Travel letters
We need to tell you more about exactly how the postcard's journey takes place. Postcrossing marks are divided into two groups: priority and non-priority. Messages with the first leave by airmail, of course, they cost a little more, but also arrive faster. Postcardswith non-priority brands, respectively, - a more economical, albeit a long option.
The user of the postcrossing site (it has already been mentioned above) registers each shipment. The recipient, when it finally reaches him, does the same, testifying that the card really arrived. Thus, the resource monitors the conscientiousness of the project participants.
Of course, no one forces you to exchange only pictures: someone attaches letters, others - their own photos, and still others indulge their interlocutors with various small gifts. When asked about the word "postcrossing", what it is, one can easily answer that this is a unique way to get closer to the whole world.
Benefit
But postcrossing is not only about communication. Colorful and unusual postcards will easily decorate the room - just hang them on the walls. Short messages on the back of the messages will help improve your knowledge of the same English, and the desire to visit a particular place may appear. Someone collects stamps from postcards - the same albums that many people had in childhood, while others paste over boxes with these stamps, for example, to create an unusual decor element. What can we say about the interest in geography, which only grows with every postcard received?
Postcrossing. What it is? This is a lingering expectation of a message, a bright postcard, amazing emotions from the pleasure of holding in your hands a piece of another civilization, sometimes diametrically opposed. It is unlikely that there will be many hobbies, the emotions from which can be compared with the feeling experienced from each new message.
