Come meet Dorthe, who lives in Aalborg, Denmark. She likes perusing random shops for postcards wherever she goes… don’t we all? :)
Here is what she had to say:
- How did you come across Postcrossing? What got you hooked?
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I saw an article or interview where someone mentioned bookcrossing. But after reading a little more the word Postcrossing caught my eye. After checking the Postcrossing website I forgot all about bookcrossing.
I sent my first five cards and when the first cards started to arrive I was hooked. Luckily the first cards was from Europe and did’t have long to travel, so I didn’t have to wait a long time. The first cards were from well known countries like: France, Finland and the Netherlands. But my 6th card came from Moldova, and that surprised me a bit. Here was a chance to get to know some countries that I knew very little about.
- Do you have any other interesting hobbies?
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Not sure if it is a hobby, but I can’t visit a new city without trying to locate where I can buy some postcards. Usually I find cards in bookstores or at the postoffice here in Denmark, but sometimes I find a random store and is lucky. Most cards up here are the usual touristcards, the artmuseum have some artcards, but other than that there isn’t much to choose from.
- Show us your mailbox, your mailman/mailwoman, your postoffice or the place where you post or keep your postcards!
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Our last postoffice here in Aalborg, a very beautiful old building. I buy most of my stamps online though (the selection is better there).
My – not so interesting – mailbox is right in the middle.
I keep my cards in albums. When I started Postcrossing I had several countries in one album, but now I have several albums with just one country, and Germany and USA has 2 albums each.
Cards to be sent out are in boxes like this, they fit perfectly to the “normal” size postcards.
- What is it your favorite part of the Postcrossing process?
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Of course I like receiving cards, but the sending process is just as important. I get a little bit disappointed when I get an address and the profile is blank. I like to read the profiles and look through my cards to see if I can find the perfect match. Sometimes I can’t and I have to take a chance, but if there are some info it is easier to choose.
I only use real stamps (the stickers kind is all we have now). They can be small artworks or show a part of the history, and I know most postcrossers like this.
- Show and tell us about your favorite received postcard to date, and what makes it special.
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I have a lot of favorite cards, it depends on so many things. Cards I thought was a bit strange at one time, can be a favorite now, and some I started collecting can be a bit forgotten until I look in the albums again. A favorite can also be if there is a good story to why the card is chosen or if I can relate to it somehow.
I am not really into cards with animals, but this card (FI-114108) was the second i got, and I am pretty sure I had the same look on my face as the boy, when the mailman didn’t have any cards for me at the beginning.
The German Chronikcard (DE-903878) is a newer favorite of mine. Most of them are from Germany, but I have one from the Netherlands and one from Russia too.
FI-1218777 is an example of my autumn favorites, I love the beautiful colors. Together with NL-86067 it also shows close-ups/strange angles. I like seeing things a bit different.
Multiples has almost been epidemic this last year. The cards came out of nowhere (well almost) and I have seen them on several wishlists. RU-969229 with trees are one of the best I have so far. The last card: EE-117167 from St. Petersburg, with the beautiful bridge in sunset. I am still waiting for that beautiful sky when I am taking pictures.
- Have you inspired anyone else to join Postcrossing or start collections of their own?
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I am not sure if anyone has started postcrossing, but I have told several people about it. Especially when I am in a new shop and buys 30–40 cards at one time. The salesperson often looks at me like I am crazy (I probably am a bit!), but when I start telling about postcrossing, they often says it is a great idea.
I think my father is a bit interested too. When he and my mother plans their holidays, he always check with me if there are any interesting sites he should buy cards from to me. They have helped me a lot with my Unesco-site collection.
- Have you been surprised by any place that you have received a postcard from or sent a postcard to?
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Yes. I have learned the location of many countries since I started postcrossing. I knew most countries in Europe, but the exact location was not always my strong side. And countries like Kazakhstan, Northern Mariana Islands, Åland Islands and Azerbaijan was probably not countries I ever thought of sending or getting mail from.
I have also been surprised over traveltimes. The only card I ever received from my own country (the sender doesn’t live in Denmark anymore) should travel 55 km. It took 4 days! I have also received a card from USA, it was sent on a Friday, stamped in the afternoon. It was in my mailbox Monday morning. It wasn’t even from one of the major cities like New York or Los Angeles.
- Have you met any other members in real life?
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I have met with Gogge1 and Christa several times. We try to have a minimeeting once or twice a year in different cities (so we can stock up on cards).
And at the meeting in Copenhagen, September 24th 2011, I had a chance to meet several International postcrossers and Danes too. It was some fun days together with Lotty, Levisia, Christa, dollart, Gogge1, Gforp, IreneK, Mikis, Giorgis, Miss Maple. I think we were a few more, but I cannot recall the names.
35 comments so far
I just want to add that looking for postcards in new cities is not just a hobby, but an obsession! I have it too, lol.
What a nice postoffice you've got .. i love that building!!;-)
i wish u lots of cards on your mailbox and tons of fun writing and buying cards!
:-) Yes I can agree to that, people around me are slowly getting used to it, me running through the shops to hunt for postcards :-)every new place where I come.
I love it so much, I'm addicted too!
I would say have fun everyone and enjoy it!!
Thanks for the great interview, I always love to learn more about Postcrossers, it's fascinating. When I was on vacation in June I spent more than 100,00 Euros for new postcards - and I loved it! Besides I got a lot of the Schöning Postcrossing paper bags. :-)
... and a big hug from Copenhagen :) Looking forward to meeting you again.
What a gorgeous post office!! And I too am obsessed with finding new cards in new cities I visit. :) Great reading your profile!!
Postcards are very difficult to find in stores in my area (I have to buy through Amazon), so I am ALWAYS on the lookout for them!
Another fun interview!
Greetings from NE Ohio, USA
~ Marica
Postcrossing is truly an amazing project!!!!!
It's the same with me. Everywhere I go I try to find some new postcards. Every city, village, museum, on holidays etc. Always buying postcards. I have about 500 postcards to send in shoeboxes. Alphabetical on subject. Love to find a matching postcard to send.
When I lost my job, and after my partner died, I got quite isolated and felt very, very sad. Postcrossing was one of the new things in my life that made me feel much better :) Searching for nice postcards to send is also for me a little obsession now (*blush*). And it is very nice to see that most people do their best to find a matching postcard for me :))
Hey Dorthe sooooo great to meet you here to. Wonderful. And a great interview. I think we do have some great mini meetings around the country seeing new Places, buying postcards, chatting etc. And it's always so great.
Another really interesting interview and portrait!
Very nice interview. Also good to see the mini meetings by Dorthe & Googe1. Keep rocking !!
Good interview. I love postcrossing:]
Lovely interview.
I, too, am addicted to postcard racks wherever I go and although none of my friends have yet taken up Postcrossing (they think one mad individual in the group is enough!!) they have taken to buying postcards for me when on their travels. Good friends, I'm sure you'll agree, despite them thinking me mad.
It is always interesting to read profiles like this. I also keep my postcards to send in plastic storage boxes (several plastic storage boxes) and I try to keep them separated into themes to make it easier to find the perfect postcard for my recipients.
Don't worry about your 'boring' mailbox. To those of us who don't have letterboxes like that they are interesting.
I can empathise with Mitzimaybe. Anytime I am on a trip anywhere my first thought is about what sort of postcards will be found at my destination - definately bordering obsessive but goodness knows, we could be doing worse. Look how happy we make ourselves and everybody else and in my book happiness is wealth.
:) again nice testimony on how to be happy with simple things!
Lovely interview. So nice to "meet" you!
Another great interview...
Nice interview, Dorthe! It's a shame there aren't so many Postcrossres in Denmark as it's mey favourite country! At least I got my Danish penpal hooked, too! I am off to Denmark in 2 weeks time and I can't wait! Ha`en rigtig god sommer, Dorthe. Knus fra STeffi i Tyskland
I am so glad to read about others like me....always on the hunt for cards....always excited to read a profile to ascertain which card would make the receiver happy...always full of anticipation when opening the mailbox. We love our hobby, don't we?
Thanks for introducing yourself to us, Dorthe. Happy Trails.
THIS IS UNIQUE POST OFFICE IN Y HOUSE ,CONGRATULATIONS ,I HAVE ALSO MAINTAIN ALBUM OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES WHEREAS ONLY 27 CARDS RECD OUT OF SENDING 49 CARDS ,DAILY I CHECK THE POSTCROSSING SIGHT ,& EMAIL TO PAULO ALSO ,ALWAYS EXCIDED TO READ A PROFILE & ASCERTAINWHICH CARD IS UNIQUE TO GIVE THE CHEERNESS & HAPPYNESS ,
BY BY ------------------
once again - a beautiful interview. Thank you Dorthe for sharing :D
Lovely to meet you Dorthe, Thank you for sharing. Makes me feel better that I'm not alone with constantly being on the look out for postcards :-) I never used to notice postcard stands in shops, now they jump out at me!
Caroline
Nice interview, Dorthe. It is good to know I am not the only one obsessed with finding postcards.
Thanks for the nice interview! Wish to have swap cards with you! :) ♡
Nice interview! I just sent a card to Dorthe which she received last wednesday, what a coincidence!
Marcel
I always love to read the interviews. :) Regards to Denmark!
An interesting interview - as usual.
What lovely albums you keep your cards in!
Wonderful interview and the information too !
Great to see your interview. We had such fun time in Copenhagen with you :) You could say i have nose for postcards, i find cards varies places. When i travel my boyfriend and friends (non postcrossers) have to wait while i sort out postcard stands after another. And if they lost me they sure know where to find me, near by stores looking for postcards. Best reaction i had was in Andorra, shop was closing and i had like hundred card pile in my hands, salesman looks at me like crazy and asks are you really going to buy all these. He starts counting, gets to half of pile measures rest pile to one that has been counted and makes some sort calculation, i got 20 cards free in that time :) And last week i was in Salzburg, bought 80 cards, sales woman was just smiling and said am i going to send all these. I said i love to write postcards and send them to friends around world. I got cards discounted price, normal 40 c piece, 12.5c piece, total 10 euros.
Hej Dorthe, hvor fint at møde dig her ...glæder mig til vores næste møde i Odense :) Great to see you here Dorthe ...one of the "Danish club " :)
Oh yes ....and I forgot ...it is always great to do postcard shopping with you and Rita ! :)
great interview :) and pictures ! how neat and organized system to store postcards :)
Hah - I know that post office quite well, have been there several times! And I hope to be there again soon. Perhaps next year...
Unfortunately there are not many postcrossers in DK (my favourite country), so I was not lucky so far in sending or receiving a postcard to/from "Gamle Danmark". But I'll keep trying!
Best wishes from DE!
nice to meet you here, good job
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