Hello everyone.
This is just a short post to let you know that i will be away for a while, and once im back, hopefully ill be able to post more regularly here.
Sorry for the latest lack of updates, sorry if i owe you any mails or messages but you know how hectic life can get sometimes :)
To whomever i owe a message, or whoever had felt neglected from my side, im really sorry...and unfortunately i know there are people in both categories here.
All my mail will be taken care of in the meantime, so no worries if you had sent me something...its gonna be safe and sound here :)
Ill be back in more or less 3 weeks, so i hope you wont have forgotten of my by then :D
wishing you all a great summer, wherever you are!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Jerusalem, Israel
You know how it goes with postcards from some places....first you have none, then you have more than one :D :D :D Isnt that just great??? First i had no cards from Israel, and then in like a week time, i got two! Hehehe...lucky girl :)
I guess that one of the most popular things to put on a postcard when it comes to Israel, is the Citadel and the Old City Wall, which you can see on this card as well....and which belongs to the UNESCO whs ;)
Here is what the sender says:
The Old City is an area within the modern city of Jerusalem. Until the 1860, this area constituted the entire city of Jerusalem. The Old City is home to several sites of key religious importance: the Temple Mount and its Western Wall for the Jews, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christians and the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque for Muslims.
Well, you know how much i prefer to write information from the back of the card, then google for them...so i love it when people educate me like this :)
I just have to say that the image and the atmosphere around it on the card, reminds me a lot to our Kale Fortress...just dont know why exactly...
And here is a really nice stamp from a set of two, issued in 2008 under the title of: 60 Years of Friendship between Israel and France.
The stamps commemorate the 60th anniversary of the first flight from Israel to France and of the state of Israel's independence. That flight symbolizes the beginning of the ties and cooperation that exist between these two countries in many areas. Above all, it represents the close and friendly relations between the two countries and their people.
I also like the oval shape of the cancellation a lot...
I guess that one of the most popular things to put on a postcard when it comes to Israel, is the Citadel and the Old City Wall, which you can see on this card as well....and which belongs to the UNESCO whs ;)
Here is what the sender says:
The Old City is an area within the modern city of Jerusalem. Until the 1860, this area constituted the entire city of Jerusalem. The Old City is home to several sites of key religious importance: the Temple Mount and its Western Wall for the Jews, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christians and the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque for Muslims.
Well, you know how much i prefer to write information from the back of the card, then google for them...so i love it when people educate me like this :)
I just have to say that the image and the atmosphere around it on the card, reminds me a lot to our Kale Fortress...just dont know why exactly...
And here is a really nice stamp from a set of two, issued in 2008 under the title of: 60 Years of Friendship between Israel and France.
The stamps commemorate the 60th anniversary of the first flight from Israel to France and of the state of Israel's independence. That flight symbolizes the beginning of the ties and cooperation that exist between these two countries in many areas. Above all, it represents the close and friendly relations between the two countries and their people.
I also like the oval shape of the cancellation a lot...
Gdansk, Poland
For some reason ever since i got this card, i kept referring to it as from Czech Republic...even when i scanned it, i titled it as from the Czech Republic...the same was with another card from Gdansk...if you are asking for a logical reason, i cant possibly give you one...its not even that close to the border...so i hope i wont make some silly mistake while writing this post...
On the card you can see the Dluga street, which in Polish means "long street"...which raises the similarity of Macedonian and Polish to a certain extent, since in Macedonian, 'long' means 'dolga' or 'долга'.
I like such pedestrian areas where you can walk freely without having to worry about traffic, and if cars are coming or so. And you can sit at a cafe and you wont need to breathe in the fumes and hear the traffic noise again (though people can create a great noise as well, but still, cant be compared).
Anyway, in the background, you can see the Main Town Hall...hmmm, really nice piece of architecture for a town hall i must say :)
This Gothic red brick building dates back from the 14th century and today it houses the Historical Museum of Gdansk.
Well, its just a beautiful building and thanks a lot to Ula for sending it to me :)
I like such pedestrian areas where you can walk freely without having to worry about traffic, and if cars are coming or so. And you can sit at a cafe and you wont need to breathe in the fumes and hear the traffic noise again (though people can create a great noise as well, but still, cant be compared).
Anyway, in the background, you can see the Main Town Hall...hmmm, really nice piece of architecture for a town hall i must say :)
This Gothic red brick building dates back from the 14th century and today it houses the Historical Museum of Gdansk.
Well, its just a beautiful building and thanks a lot to Ula for sending it to me :)
Versailles, France
A card with just amazing colours....really brings the feeling of Royalty :)
Well, this is a place i have personally been to, but unfortunately, due to all those rushed things they do to you, when you go on a trip like this, unfortunately, i dont really remember much. I just know that it was an amazing place, with lots of beautiful nature, and it was just great to walk through the gardens. So i will have to search for info instead give you something out of my head.
The court of Versailles was the centre of political power in France from 1682, when Louis XIV moved from Paris, until the Royal Family was forced to return to the capital in October 1789. Versailles is therefore famous not only as a building, but as a symbol of the system of Absolute Monarchy of the Ancien Regime.
Here is something interesting, regarding the life at court:
-People who wanted to speak to the king could not knock on his door. Instead, using the left little finger, they had to gently scratch on the door, until they were granted permission to enter. As a result, many courtiers grew that fingernail longer than the others
-A lady never held hands or linked arms with a gentleman. Besides being in bad taste, this practice would have been impossible because a woman’s hooped skirts were so wide. Instead, she was to place her hand on top of the gentleman’s bent arm as they strolled through the gardens and chambers of Versailles. It is also mentioned that the ladies were only allowed to touch fingertips with the men.
-When a gentleman sat down, he slid his left foot in front of the other, placed his hands on the sides of the chair and gently lowered himself into the chair. There was a very practical reason for this procedure. If a gentleman sat too fast, his tight trousers might split.
-Women and men were not allowed to cross their legs in public.
-When a gentleman passed an acquaintance on the street, he was to raise his hat high off his head until the other person passed.
-A gentleman was to do no work except writing letters, giving speeches, practicing fencing, or dancing. For pleasure, he engaged in hawking, archery, indoor tennis, or hunting. A gentleman would also take part in battle and would sometimes serve as a public officer, paying the soldiers.
-Ladies’ clothing did not allow them to do much besides sit and walk. However, they passed the time sewing, knitting, writing letters, painting, making their own lace, and creating their own cosmetics and perfumes.
The stamp is from a 2008 set of 10 stamps called Portraits of France No.11 with the Primary theme of Geography and Meteorology (Seas, Lakes and Rivers), Architecture (Classical), History (Geographical History).
The stamp here portrays Strasbourg.
Well, this is a place i have personally been to, but unfortunately, due to all those rushed things they do to you, when you go on a trip like this, unfortunately, i dont really remember much. I just know that it was an amazing place, with lots of beautiful nature, and it was just great to walk through the gardens. So i will have to search for info instead give you something out of my head.
The court of Versailles was the centre of political power in France from 1682, when Louis XIV moved from Paris, until the Royal Family was forced to return to the capital in October 1789. Versailles is therefore famous not only as a building, but as a symbol of the system of Absolute Monarchy of the Ancien Regime.
Here is something interesting, regarding the life at court:
-People who wanted to speak to the king could not knock on his door. Instead, using the left little finger, they had to gently scratch on the door, until they were granted permission to enter. As a result, many courtiers grew that fingernail longer than the others
-A lady never held hands or linked arms with a gentleman. Besides being in bad taste, this practice would have been impossible because a woman’s hooped skirts were so wide. Instead, she was to place her hand on top of the gentleman’s bent arm as they strolled through the gardens and chambers of Versailles. It is also mentioned that the ladies were only allowed to touch fingertips with the men.
-When a gentleman sat down, he slid his left foot in front of the other, placed his hands on the sides of the chair and gently lowered himself into the chair. There was a very practical reason for this procedure. If a gentleman sat too fast, his tight trousers might split.
-Women and men were not allowed to cross their legs in public.
-When a gentleman passed an acquaintance on the street, he was to raise his hat high off his head until the other person passed.
-A gentleman was to do no work except writing letters, giving speeches, practicing fencing, or dancing. For pleasure, he engaged in hawking, archery, indoor tennis, or hunting. A gentleman would also take part in battle and would sometimes serve as a public officer, paying the soldiers.
-Ladies’ clothing did not allow them to do much besides sit and walk. However, they passed the time sewing, knitting, writing letters, painting, making their own lace, and creating their own cosmetics and perfumes.
The stamp is from a 2008 set of 10 stamps called Portraits of France No.11 with the Primary theme of Geography and Meteorology (Seas, Lakes and Rivers), Architecture (Classical), History (Geographical History).
The stamp here portrays Strasbourg.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Etlkuyum Bay, Russia
If it wasnt for the postcards, i probably wouldnt have heard about Čukotka for a long time..and its a place that absolutely fascinated and captured me right away...
The vastness and greatness and diversity of Russia is by itself amazing...but Čukotka has its own place for awards...ill give you some basic facts about it, which make it so fascinating for me...
Chukotka is the most northeasterly region of Russia and, since the sale of Alaska to the United States, has been the only part of Russia lying partially in the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered on the east by the Bering Sea, part of the Pacific Ocean, and to the north by the Chukchi Sea and the East Siberian Sea, which are part of the Arctic Ocean.
So, first of all, its an xxx uttermost point of something, and you know that such points on Earth give me a great thrill...second...its just across Alaska...take a look at this map here
Its just hard for me to make a clear picture of how close these two places are...maybe if it was in the sense of power, i could put Russia and USA together...but when it comes in the terms of geographical placement, i just cant, i cant cant cant imagine that from Russia, i can have a view over the United States....it just...gives me shivers and goosebumps...you know that im fascinated when from the place im staying i can observe a different country....but an entirely different continent???? Its like watching Africa from Gibraltar...its just so insane...in the most amazing way possible!
So THATS why Čukotka gives me such desire to explore it and learn so much more about it...
oh and one more thing which makes it so intriguing....if you want to get to Čukotka, you wont be able to do so by car or bus or any other road-transport vehicle..why? Coz Čukotka is roadless and air travel is the main mode of passenger transport.Coastal shipping is also taking place, but the ice situation is too severe for at least half the year.
It feels like the most deserted place on Earth...cut out from everything else.
Do you know that after i learned about Čukotka, i was so obsessed and fascinated by it, that i even dreamed about...i dreamed how i was travelling by train thru the severe Siberian conditions, and how eventually i ended up somewhere in the US and i could immediately feel the change, since the whole atmosphere felt hot but dreary and as if i had woken up from a dream (even though i was still asleep actually).
Funny thing is that i dreamed i had travelled by train, even though as i already mentioned, you cant get to Čukotka in another way but plane. Another thing is, i didnt end up in Alaska but something like Texas or Arizona or so...im not sure, but it definitely wasnt Alaska, since I love Alaska, and i would have felt good if it was Alaska, and the weather conditions in Alaska are way much more different than from the ones that were where i ended up.....weird, eh?
As for the stamps...ive definitely put Russia in my top list when it comes to stamps...lovely and amazing...my particular interest is on the stamp on the very right. It belongs to a set of 4 stamps issued in 2008, called Decorative Applied Arts of Dagestan....as a part of Russia, Dagetsan is also intriguing to me, but not so much coz of its geography, as much coz of its history and politics and culture...and coz i just dont really know much about it anyway.
The vastness and greatness and diversity of Russia is by itself amazing...but Čukotka has its own place for awards...ill give you some basic facts about it, which make it so fascinating for me...
Chukotka is the most northeasterly region of Russia and, since the sale of Alaska to the United States, has been the only part of Russia lying partially in the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered on the east by the Bering Sea, part of the Pacific Ocean, and to the north by the Chukchi Sea and the East Siberian Sea, which are part of the Arctic Ocean.
So, first of all, its an xxx uttermost point of something, and you know that such points on Earth give me a great thrill...second...its just across Alaska...take a look at this map here
Its just hard for me to make a clear picture of how close these two places are...maybe if it was in the sense of power, i could put Russia and USA together...but when it comes in the terms of geographical placement, i just cant, i cant cant cant imagine that from Russia, i can have a view over the United States....it just...gives me shivers and goosebumps...you know that im fascinated when from the place im staying i can observe a different country....but an entirely different continent???? Its like watching Africa from Gibraltar...its just so insane...in the most amazing way possible!
So THATS why Čukotka gives me such desire to explore it and learn so much more about it...
oh and one more thing which makes it so intriguing....if you want to get to Čukotka, you wont be able to do so by car or bus or any other road-transport vehicle..why? Coz Čukotka is roadless and air travel is the main mode of passenger transport.Coastal shipping is also taking place, but the ice situation is too severe for at least half the year.
It feels like the most deserted place on Earth...cut out from everything else.
Do you know that after i learned about Čukotka, i was so obsessed and fascinated by it, that i even dreamed about...i dreamed how i was travelling by train thru the severe Siberian conditions, and how eventually i ended up somewhere in the US and i could immediately feel the change, since the whole atmosphere felt hot but dreary and as if i had woken up from a dream (even though i was still asleep actually).
Funny thing is that i dreamed i had travelled by train, even though as i already mentioned, you cant get to Čukotka in another way but plane. Another thing is, i didnt end up in Alaska but something like Texas or Arizona or so...im not sure, but it definitely wasnt Alaska, since I love Alaska, and i would have felt good if it was Alaska, and the weather conditions in Alaska are way much more different than from the ones that were where i ended up.....weird, eh?
As for the stamps...ive definitely put Russia in my top list when it comes to stamps...lovely and amazing...my particular interest is on the stamp on the very right. It belongs to a set of 4 stamps issued in 2008, called Decorative Applied Arts of Dagestan....as a part of Russia, Dagetsan is also intriguing to me, but not so much coz of its geography, as much coz of its history and politics and culture...and coz i just dont really know much about it anyway.
Ohio, USA
A new map card in my collection....a great one!
Lets see what the back of the card says....though its not really much...
Ohio, or also known as the "Buckeye State".
Capital: Columbus
Area: 41,222
Sq.Mi.Population: 10,749,000
Flower: Scarlet Carnation
Bird: Cardinal
Tree: Ohio Buckeye
Ohio was the 17th state admitted to the Union
Well, i have to say that i LOVE LOVE LOVE the stamps....and if all goes well, soon i should actually have these two as postcards (speaking of the Simpsons).
They are issued just this year and feature the main Simpsons characters, from which here you can see Lisa and Marge. Lovely!
Lets see what the back of the card says....though its not really much...
Ohio, or also known as the "Buckeye State".
Capital: Columbus
Area: 41,222
Sq.Mi.Population: 10,749,000
Flower: Scarlet Carnation
Bird: Cardinal
Tree: Ohio Buckeye
Ohio was the 17th state admitted to the Union
Well, i have to say that i LOVE LOVE LOVE the stamps....and if all goes well, soon i should actually have these two as postcards (speaking of the Simpsons).
They are issued just this year and feature the main Simpsons characters, from which here you can see Lisa and Marge. Lovely!
Yogyakarta, Indonesia
The last card to be featured today comes from the city of Yogyakarta in Indonesia.
It is renowned as a center of classical Javanese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry, and puppet shows.Yogyakarta was also the Indonesian capital during the National Revolution from 1945 - 1949.
On the card you can see the Tugu monument, which is a famous landmark that is located right at the center of Yogyakarta.
The monument has a sphere as the top spire and this represents the universe. Previously that is during the colonial era there was a golden cylinder in the place of the spire. In the Indonesian language the word "tugu" means column.
The Tugu Monument that is there at the north of the Keraton at the interjection of the Jl. Sudirman and the Jl. Mangkubumi is not the one that was originally built. The first monument was built in 1755 to commemorate the setting up of the Ngayogyakarta Sultanate. The structure was built in direct alignment with the Mount Merapi and the Keraton. Thus it formed an axis that is said to have special power.
Btw....i got this card along with many others in an envelope...and since i hadnt featured the stamps with the previous cards, here they are now. Ill skip the comments....since i simply couldnt open the English version of the Indonesian Post Office site, so that i could read what information does it include in the Philately section and if it could be any helpful. So in case you know something more about the stamps or you can give me a good link about Indonesian stamps, you are always welcome to do so.
It is renowned as a center of classical Javanese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry, and puppet shows.Yogyakarta was also the Indonesian capital during the National Revolution from 1945 - 1949.
On the card you can see the Tugu monument, which is a famous landmark that is located right at the center of Yogyakarta.
The monument has a sphere as the top spire and this represents the universe. Previously that is during the colonial era there was a golden cylinder in the place of the spire. In the Indonesian language the word "tugu" means column.
The Tugu Monument that is there at the north of the Keraton at the interjection of the Jl. Sudirman and the Jl. Mangkubumi is not the one that was originally built. The first monument was built in 1755 to commemorate the setting up of the Ngayogyakarta Sultanate. The structure was built in direct alignment with the Mount Merapi and the Keraton. Thus it formed an axis that is said to have special power.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Ait Ben Haddou, Morocco
Hyia! I hope i wont forget later to update my map with all those newly received countries...i actually havent updated that in a long while...yeah, lazy lazy Ana...there a lot of things i havent managed to do lately actually, so....but anyways, lets spare the empty talks :)
Morocco, a new country in my collection....as a result to my early birthday present from Glenn...i hope Glenn doesnt mind this, but i really want to consider this as a birthday present...it certainly felt like one :)
And this is not just a great card from a new country, but its also a UNESCO site as well! Hmmm...i need to update that list as well....its unbelievable how behind i am with so many things..hopefully, after the 15th I will be able to settle all those things....
I just dont know why instead of looking for info for this card, im reading about Tides and Schopenhauer....
though if anyone has a Schopenhauer-related postcard, feel free to drop it inside my mailbox....that man has been intriguing to me ever since high-school.....probably one of the first philosophers whom i could understand (un)fortunately....
And no, Schopenhauer and Tides are totally unrelated...but i just saw a full moon outside and for some reason i started thinking of tides....why, i have no idea when i dont live even close to a sea or an ocean...
Anyway, you really should let me tell you something about the card, since its interesting...as the subject already says, this is Ait Ben Haddou...now, this fortified city (or ksar), which is just at the gates of the Sahara Desert,is a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco and has some beautiful examples of kasbahs. Most of the town's inhabitants now live in a more modern village at the other side of the river; however, ten families still live within the ksar.
Whats VERY interesting to know, is that, right here, at this spot, numerous films have been shot, like, Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth, The Living Daylights, Kundun, The Mummy, Gladiator, Alexander...
So, i really think that this place deserves loads and loads of recognition...even though im not much into watching movies (probably lack of the right company for it) i do give credit when i think its worth it...
And this is not just a great card from a new country, but its also a UNESCO site as well! Hmmm...i need to update that list as well....its unbelievable how behind i am with so many things..hopefully, after the 15th I will be able to settle all those things....
I just dont know why instead of looking for info for this card, im reading about Tides and Schopenhauer....
though if anyone has a Schopenhauer-related postcard, feel free to drop it inside my mailbox....that man has been intriguing to me ever since high-school.....probably one of the first philosophers whom i could understand (un)fortunately....
And no, Schopenhauer and Tides are totally unrelated...but i just saw a full moon outside and for some reason i started thinking of tides....why, i have no idea when i dont live even close to a sea or an ocean...
Anyway, you really should let me tell you something about the card, since its interesting...as the subject already says, this is Ait Ben Haddou...now, this fortified city (or ksar), which is just at the gates of the Sahara Desert,is a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco and has some beautiful examples of kasbahs. Most of the town's inhabitants now live in a more modern village at the other side of the river; however, ten families still live within the ksar.
Whats VERY interesting to know, is that, right here, at this spot, numerous films have been shot, like, Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth, The Living Daylights, Kundun, The Mummy, Gladiator, Alexander...
So, i really think that this place deserves loads and loads of recognition...even though im not much into watching movies (probably lack of the right company for it) i do give credit when i think its worth it...
Mautern, Austria
Mautern is a small town, around 80km from Vienna, and from what I can grasp, a nice peaceful place to live in.
Well, ive figured that it says "Mautern on the Danube river" but that "Stift Göttweig" caught me off-guard...and i know I always say there are a lot of things i want to do, and im all anxious to do them, and eventually i end up doing nothing...but i really hope to revise my German and Spanish this summer and get them to some decent level...since i also want to pick up some Norwegian...and i know this is a high-stake, but Arabic as well...yeah, someone pinch me on the cheeks please...i really think im overestimating myself...but what can i do...i want to learn them all...
Anyway, ive learned that actually Stift Göttweig is one of the most beautiful monasteries in Austria, and if you take a good look at the card, im sure you'll see it....its right there, on the hill.
My aim to revise my German still stands though...
There are two really nice stamps on the card, both issued in 2007, both belong to the standard issue series and one of them is extremely happy and cheerful...its even called "Congratulations" :)
The other stamp belongs to the set of flowers, representing the Scotch Laburnum.
Well, ive figured that it says "Mautern on the Danube river" but that "Stift Göttweig" caught me off-guard...and i know I always say there are a lot of things i want to do, and im all anxious to do them, and eventually i end up doing nothing...but i really hope to revise my German and Spanish this summer and get them to some decent level...since i also want to pick up some Norwegian...and i know this is a high-stake, but Arabic as well...yeah, someone pinch me on the cheeks please...i really think im overestimating myself...but what can i do...i want to learn them all...
Anyway, ive learned that actually Stift Göttweig is one of the most beautiful monasteries in Austria, and if you take a good look at the card, im sure you'll see it....its right there, on the hill.
My aim to revise my German still stands though...
The other stamp belongs to the set of flowers, representing the Scotch Laburnum.
Maribor, Slovenia
A really nice aerial view i received from Staša, as a result of some mini meeting they had, about which i had no idea until i found this card in my mailbox...a really really nice surprise :)
I kept thinking what was that which Maribor reminds me about...i knew it had to do with sports and skiing was going through my mind (Slovenia as a country, reminds me of skiing when you mention sports) and i was right...Maribor is the host of the women's slalom and giant slalom races for the Alpine Skiing World Cup, known as the Golden Fox (or Zlata Lisica).
Something else you might wanna know? It is the second largest city in Slovenia, and to me, always sounded more appealing than Ljubljana..and due to the skiing, ive always came across Maribor more often than Ljubljana, so i just feel more familiar with it.
Ok, i knew there had to be some famous person coming from Maribor and i was convinced it would be Bojan Križaj, but turns out that Danilo Türk (Slovenia's President) is actually a native Maribor guy...
I think that as a country, Slovenia issues really lovely stamps, esp. those Flora/Fauna related. These two are just a proof of it. They belong to a set of 17 definitives from the Flowers of Slovenia series. The stamp on the left shows the Adriatic Lizard Orchid, while the other one shows a Yellow Lady's Slipper. One thing i need to find out is what the letters on the Slovenian stamps mean (here you have 'B'..but you can also see A, C, D....) Just curious...
Something else you might wanna know? It is the second largest city in Slovenia, and to me, always sounded more appealing than Ljubljana..and due to the skiing, ive always came across Maribor more often than Ljubljana, so i just feel more familiar with it.
Ok, i knew there had to be some famous person coming from Maribor and i was convinced it would be Bojan Križaj, but turns out that Danilo Türk (Slovenia's President) is actually a native Maribor guy...
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Turkey
My first map card from Turkey!! Yay! Thanks to Janek who decided to spend his holidays there..i dont know if this is a coincidence or no, but my posts lately just seem to revolve around the word "holidays"...and just today ive been thinking about it (again) and didnt come up with something worth telling (again)
Speaking of Turkey, ive never actually been there, not even on a holiday even though among Macedonians its a popular destination to go to...mainly coz its not so far away, and its not too expensive either and you can just get there by bus...after a 24 hour travelling adventure. I have nothing against Turkey but ive never been drawn to it as a place to spend my summer holidays...probably coz of the fact that its just hot there, well, hotter than what i would like to have on my summer holiday (i know this sounds ridiculous, but i dont like heat even when im by the sea)..and im also put off with that 24 hour travelling journey (since going by plane is way more expensive). I would really love to see Turkey one day since its a country with such rich history and places worth to be seen...but i guess that will have to happen at any other time but the summer holidays :)
This nice colourful stamp is from a set of 14, issued in 2005, called Our Cities - II. The stamp here represents the city of Burdur.
Speaking of Turkey, ive never actually been there, not even on a holiday even though among Macedonians its a popular destination to go to...mainly coz its not so far away, and its not too expensive either and you can just get there by bus...after a 24 hour travelling adventure. I have nothing against Turkey but ive never been drawn to it as a place to spend my summer holidays...probably coz of the fact that its just hot there, well, hotter than what i would like to have on my summer holiday (i know this sounds ridiculous, but i dont like heat even when im by the sea)..and im also put off with that 24 hour travelling journey (since going by plane is way more expensive). I would really love to see Turkey one day since its a country with such rich history and places worth to be seen...but i guess that will have to happen at any other time but the summer holidays :)
This nice colourful stamp is from a set of 14, issued in 2005, called Our Cities - II. The stamp here represents the city of Burdur.
Lithuania
Im becoming more and more convinced that Lithuania is a place more than worth visiting. It seems to have such beautiful places about which i know just a little.
If there is something i MUST see if i ever go to Lithuania, apart from Vilnius of course, is the Trakai island. There is a really nice postcard ive seen around, showing an aerial view of it, and its something id really love to have in my collection (and probably then rant more about the place and all...). And definitely the Кuršiu Nerija National Park....if you recall my post about the Curonian Spit, then i should tell you that Кuršiu Nerija is a National Park in order to protect the unique ecosystem of the Curonian spit and the Curonian Lagoon.
the stamp is from a set of two, issued in 2008 to commemorate the XXIX Olympic Games in Beijing, where this stamp here portrays "Yachting. “Laser Radial” class"
If there is something i MUST see if i ever go to Lithuania, apart from Vilnius of course, is the Trakai island. There is a really nice postcard ive seen around, showing an aerial view of it, and its something id really love to have in my collection (and probably then rant more about the place and all...). And definitely the Кuršiu Nerija National Park....if you recall my post about the Curonian Spit, then i should tell you that Кuršiu Nerija is a National Park in order to protect the unique ecosystem of the Curonian spit and the Curonian Lagoon.
Ieper, Belgium
A really nice card from Thomas showing some spots in the city of Ieper.
The stamp....well, its not only a great stamp, but a great cancellation as well, and i have to say im proud and happy to have it! :)
Ive noticed that the EUROPA stamps are EXTREMELY popular among stamp collectors (why exactly, i cant tell) but as an issue its a really nice one and its something which is issued every year, on a different subject...this is something i first managed to grasp when i was at the philately and i overheard the conversation between the guy who was buying the stamps and the lady who worked there...so even though ive seen EUROPA stamps before, i didnt really know anything related to them, so this overheard conversation was probably my first more serious encounter. Ridiculous, i know...
I know that Macedonia also has EUROPA stamps issued and i know that this guy complained how to get the whole set of, FDC, Souvenir Sheet and stamps is just too expensive...and i also wonder why they issued the stamps in such values, which i can use neither on a postcard nor on a letter...it seems as if they are meant only for collectors' purposes, not for a wider usage...which is a pity...
Oh, and ive also overheard that this year's subject for the EUROPA stamps would be Astronomy ;)
Yay, this stamps thing is fascinating me more and more each day!!! :-)
PS. In case i ever make a stupid mistake regarding stamps and say something which is nonsense or completely untrue, dont hesitate to correct me...thats how one learns things :)
I honestly had never heard of Ieper until I received my first card from Thomas..and it seems like an interesting place, and is if many things related to Ieper are also related to some of the World Wars from which you can see traces implemented in the city nowadays. If im not mistaken, here you can see the Cloth Hall, which is also related to the WWI, and the cemeteries below commemorate something as well, though im not sure what. Thomas might have mentioned it, but can be rather absent-minded sometimes.
What got me really curious, is the 'cat' on the very right, and ive learned that Ieper is the host of the Cat Parade, which takes place every 3 years on the second Sunday of May....and 2009 was a lucky year to have a Cat Parade happening. Really interesting....
Ive noticed that the EUROPA stamps are EXTREMELY popular among stamp collectors (why exactly, i cant tell) but as an issue its a really nice one and its something which is issued every year, on a different subject...this is something i first managed to grasp when i was at the philately and i overheard the conversation between the guy who was buying the stamps and the lady who worked there...so even though ive seen EUROPA stamps before, i didnt really know anything related to them, so this overheard conversation was probably my first more serious encounter. Ridiculous, i know...
I know that Macedonia also has EUROPA stamps issued and i know that this guy complained how to get the whole set of, FDC, Souvenir Sheet and stamps is just too expensive...and i also wonder why they issued the stamps in such values, which i can use neither on a postcard nor on a letter...it seems as if they are meant only for collectors' purposes, not for a wider usage...which is a pity...
Oh, and ive also overheard that this year's subject for the EUROPA stamps would be Astronomy ;)
Yay, this stamps thing is fascinating me more and more each day!!! :-)
PS. In case i ever make a stupid mistake regarding stamps and say something which is nonsense or completely untrue, dont hesitate to correct me...thats how one learns things :)
Friday, June 5, 2009
A Moment Of Inner Freedom....for PFF
It's been a while since i had participated and i feel sort of guilty about it...but i wont bother you with excuses and explanations...i just wanted to say a word or two about Inner Freedom
I think that inner freedom is something that i always have but unfortunately more than often gets captivated due to a whole lot number of things, important or trivial...but they just perfectly manage to 'imprison' it...It used to be different and i actually was convinced that ive been doomed to lack of inner freedom, but with time ive learned how to achieve that, and to actually recognize it in the first place and not to just live with the fact 'since i dont always feel it, means it doesnt exist'. Ive actually realized how to appreciate it and how to manage to get to it instead just let the flow of bad thoughts/moments carry me along. Its not easy, but once you learn how to do it and once you realize what gives you the inner freedom, you feel much better on the overall.
What gives ME inner-freedom? Hmmm...well, on the top of the list, is the well-being of my family...that calms me down a real real lot....then, stillness of heart and emotional tranquility...really, its a feeling one of a kind and an extremely glorious one...its amazing....then...friends or people who show they care...funny (and also sad) thing is, in this category mainly fall people ive never met for real but i consider them much much closer and much more trustworthy and much more caring than people i know for real... yeah, this is a hint actually to all my realistic friends and acquaintances...and last, but not least, a secure income is what brings me peace of mind...im not materialistic, but in today's world, you often really have to struggle to survive and that brings a lots of worries and fears, and thats how that 'moment of inner freedom' just cant come to the surface.
I never have all of these conditions fulfilled...im actually happy if one of them is fulfilled, but im just trying to balance among them all and feel good about it :)
Now, my question is, whats YOUR moment if Inner Freedom and how do you manage to achieve that and to maintain it. Thank you in advance for all the responses :)
A HUGE thanks to Chris for sending me this card...this card was an inspiration for today's post :)
And go over to Marie's to see what others wanted to share with you this Friday!
HAPPY POSTCARD FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY!
What gives ME inner-freedom? Hmmm...well, on the top of the list, is the well-being of my family...that calms me down a real real lot....then, stillness of heart and emotional tranquility...really, its a feeling one of a kind and an extremely glorious one...its amazing....then...friends or people who show they care...funny (and also sad) thing is, in this category mainly fall people ive never met for real but i consider them much much closer and much more trustworthy and much more caring than people i know for real... yeah, this is a hint actually to all my realistic friends and acquaintances...and last, but not least, a secure income is what brings me peace of mind...im not materialistic, but in today's world, you often really have to struggle to survive and that brings a lots of worries and fears, and thats how that 'moment of inner freedom' just cant come to the surface.
I never have all of these conditions fulfilled...im actually happy if one of them is fulfilled, but im just trying to balance among them all and feel good about it :)
Now, my question is, whats YOUR moment if Inner Freedom and how do you manage to achieve that and to maintain it. Thank you in advance for all the responses :)
A HUGE thanks to Chris for sending me this card...this card was an inspiration for today's post :)
And go over to Marie's to see what others wanted to share with you this Friday!
HAPPY POSTCARD FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Madagascar
Well, as some of you probably know, yesterday my mailbox was treated in a very special way...actually, the mail didnt get to my mailbox, since i came across the postman while i was going to the groceries and he gave me my mail...and i was all shivering when he handed me a huge envelope... i could have only taken a guess what might be inside, but what really was in there, literally shocked me and left me in disbelief for a long while...I know Glenn told me he could send me some cards from countries i dont have yet in my collection, but that he was gonna send me SO MANY different countries, is what i never crossed my mind....how many you want to know? Enough so that i could be showing you a different one each day in the following two weeks! With some countries i never even thought my eyes would see a postcard from, at least for a long long time....well, i wont give you the exhaustive list now, though ive already rambled about it and some of you know it (i just couldnt keep it to myself, had to share it in public :D)
I will give you a new country every now and then...dont want to get you overdosed at once, and i know a few other new countries should be coming my way as well, so it would be really too much to give them all to you at once...i think its sweeter when you take bits of it gradually :)
Glenn, i really dont know what to say, to express how thankful and delighted i am...this is like a great early birthday present for me! :))))))
And just look at how lovely this card is...one of the best ways to portray Madagascar, since Lemurs are primates who are endemic to the island of Madagascar and some smaller surrounding islands. The term "lemur" is derived from the Latin 'lemures' meaning 'The Spirits of Night" or "Ghosts". This likely refers to their large reflective eyes and the wailing cries of some species. Lemurs have long tails that they use for communication with each other and balance when leaping between trees. They have opposable thumbs and long toes adapted for gripping tree branches. Lemurs have nails rather than claws on all digits except the second toe of each hind foot, which has a toilet-claw for grooming. They all have a tapetum, the reflective layer over the retina that enhances night vision.Lemurs depend heavily on the sense of smell and have large nasal cavities and moist noses.
I dont know if this fella here is terrified from the camera ir is posing, but he seems soooo cute and i would just love to cuddle him :) Ok, it might be a 'she' as well, i cant tell, but in case you didnt know, Lemurs exhibit female dominance.
Unfortunately, they are species in danger of extinction.....
I will give you a new country every now and then...dont want to get you overdosed at once, and i know a few other new countries should be coming my way as well, so it would be really too much to give them all to you at once...i think its sweeter when you take bits of it gradually :)
Glenn, i really dont know what to say, to express how thankful and delighted i am...this is like a great early birthday present for me! :))))))
And just look at how lovely this card is...one of the best ways to portray Madagascar, since Lemurs are primates who are endemic to the island of Madagascar and some smaller surrounding islands. The term "lemur" is derived from the Latin 'lemures' meaning 'The Spirits of Night" or "Ghosts". This likely refers to their large reflective eyes and the wailing cries of some species. Lemurs have long tails that they use for communication with each other and balance when leaping between trees. They have opposable thumbs and long toes adapted for gripping tree branches. Lemurs have nails rather than claws on all digits except the second toe of each hind foot, which has a toilet-claw for grooming. They all have a tapetum, the reflective layer over the retina that enhances night vision.Lemurs depend heavily on the sense of smell and have large nasal cavities and moist noses.
I dont know if this fella here is terrified from the camera ir is posing, but he seems soooo cute and i would just love to cuddle him :) Ok, it might be a 'she' as well, i cant tell, but in case you didnt know, Lemurs exhibit female dominance.
Unfortunately, they are species in danger of extinction.....
Shropshire County, England
A very interesting map card....with very interesting details...i just hope you can manage to read them...well, zoom the card and it should be easier and more readable :)
It shows Shropshire also known as Salop or just Shrops, which is one of England's most rural and sparsely populated counties. It borders Wales and for a long time was considered to be a part of it and is known in the Welsh poetry as "Paradise of Powys".
You have probably noticed that many counties in Britain end in 'shire'. Well, this is the original term for "county", which as a word was introduced at the Norman Conquest.
Btw, did you know that Charles Darwin originated from Shropshire? :)
the stamp...well i think you should be familiar with it...ever since i started penpalling back in 1993, this is the stamp i had seen most often on my mail...its from a set of Machin definitives, issued in February 2009 colour, light grey.
It shows Shropshire also known as Salop or just Shrops, which is one of England's most rural and sparsely populated counties. It borders Wales and for a long time was considered to be a part of it and is known in the Welsh poetry as "Paradise of Powys".
You have probably noticed that many counties in Britain end in 'shire'. Well, this is the original term for "county", which as a word was introduced at the Norman Conquest.
Btw, did you know that Charles Darwin originated from Shropshire? :)
the stamp...well i think you should be familiar with it...ever since i started penpalling back in 1993, this is the stamp i had seen most often on my mail...its from a set of Machin definitives, issued in February 2009 colour, light grey.
Albufeira, Portugal
I love love love the image on this card....the pink shade just give some special feeling to it, even though pink is far from my favourite colours. But it creates some really nice diminishing light.
Well, Albufeira is a city in the district of Faro, Algarve region. Its name comes from the Arabic 'al-Buħayra", meaning "The Lagoon" and is one of the leading tourist resorts of the region.
Hmmm, the past few days, my attention has been going to 'where am i gonna go on a summer holiday...if anywhere'. Im not some 'beach-craze' kind if person, and i dont really go nuts if i actually spend my whole summer here...but honestly, i really need a break from everything...and would really want to go where its quiet and peaceful, yet, there is a sea or lake....its one of the greatest ways to refresh my whole mind and rest mentally before anything else...i really really need it...and hopefully, ill manage and will be able to go somewhere for at least ten days. Maybe once i get back, everything will seem easier and better :)
Do YOU have any summer holiday plans?
the stamp is self-adhesive and is from a 2008 issue called Public City Transport, 2nd group, presenting the Urban transport in the inter-war years.
Well, Albufeira is a city in the district of Faro, Algarve region. Its name comes from the Arabic 'al-Buħayra", meaning "The Lagoon" and is one of the leading tourist resorts of the region.
Hmmm, the past few days, my attention has been going to 'where am i gonna go on a summer holiday...if anywhere'. Im not some 'beach-craze' kind if person, and i dont really go nuts if i actually spend my whole summer here...but honestly, i really need a break from everything...and would really want to go where its quiet and peaceful, yet, there is a sea or lake....its one of the greatest ways to refresh my whole mind and rest mentally before anything else...i really really need it...and hopefully, ill manage and will be able to go somewhere for at least ten days. Maybe once i get back, everything will seem easier and better :)
Do YOU have any summer holiday plans?
the stamp is self-adhesive and is from a 2008 issue called Public City Transport, 2nd group, presenting the Urban transport in the inter-war years.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Basket Weaver, Saudi Arabia
Yup! Its a new new country...a card coming directly from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia! Wow!
Thanks Ganesh :)
Now, regarding numbers of the countries...i have to be honest, that i think i had totally mixed something up lately...Im totally unsure if this is 102 or 103 or...something else....I may have even made a mistake with the 100th as well, but..hmm, well, if it turns out to be so, i hope you wont behead me :)
I think ill manage to squeeze in this update before i rush off to my obligations again...there is so much to do, that its freaking me out and im starting to panic if im gonna manage to do it all or no...keep fingers crossed!
I used to rather dislike cards showing people...i dont know...i think my appreciation for cards was a bit narrow minded and focused on just city views and landscapes...but my overall taste had obviously changed drastically, and ive started to like cards which actually tell me a story, a history, a legend or in general cards which can educate me by showing me something about the place they are coming from.
In this case, you can see a Basket Weaver from the Asir Region in Saudi Arabia.
I dont think that weaving is something very hard to do, but it does require some skills, and more over, patience...if i had enough free time, i would give it a try...its a nice craft and can get very artistic as well, depending on your imagination...which i dont think i have a lack of...i actually think i have more of it than necessary which can be troublesome in many situations...but when it comes to making these baskets i would really love to be able to do all sorts of shapes and play with colours and designs.
When i was little, i had a small, hmm, set for weaving, and my grandmother taught me how to do it and gave me a bunch of colourful wools...and it wasnt anything spectacular, but it looked nice, and i still keep it somewhere and use it as a table-mat. But of course, that sort of weaving, and the one on the card, cant come even close...
Madrid, Spain
One reason why i really love this card is the illumination against the bricks of the bridge and the building on the hill...along with the dark blue sky, the combination of colours is just lovely.
Puente de Segovia (or the Bridge of Segovia) is the oldest bridge in Madrid.Its nine ancient arches spread across the Manzanares river in a symbolic act of union of the city's past and present. It was commissioned in 1582 by Felipe II. The king selected the architect Juan of Herrera to complete the task.Made of granite, it's very solid and durable. During the Spanish Civil War it was of crucial importance to the two struggling sides, as it's one of the main entrances to the city. In an attempt to prevent the nationalists from taking over the capital, the republicans blew up a part of it.
this card came along with some others in an envelope, so here is the stamp. Its from a 2008 issue dedicated to the Flora and Fauna, called Dahlia and European Bee-eater.
This is the stamp showing the Dahlia which is considered to be the Mexican national flower. The stamp is self-adhesive.
Puente de Segovia (or the Bridge of Segovia) is the oldest bridge in Madrid.Its nine ancient arches spread across the Manzanares river in a symbolic act of union of the city's past and present. It was commissioned in 1582 by Felipe II. The king selected the architect Juan of Herrera to complete the task.Made of granite, it's very solid and durable. During the Spanish Civil War it was of crucial importance to the two struggling sides, as it's one of the main entrances to the city. In an attempt to prevent the nationalists from taking over the capital, the republicans blew up a part of it.
This is the stamp showing the Dahlia which is considered to be the Mexican national flower. The stamp is self-adhesive.
Nesviž, Belarus
A UNESCO card from Belarus, showing the Nesviž Castle. I like the colours...the green always gives a feeling of tranquility...and i like it how the castle is on one and the houses on the other side of the river.
The stamp is from a set of two, issued in 2008, called "Hunt".
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