Books - Netherlands and Germany

July 6, 2026

Leah sent this card from Germany. She wrote about her town and her favourite movie [The Blind Side] as she loves the message and how loyalty and love is portrayed.

I've read about 5 of these novels, how about you?

She also asked me what my favourite Jason Statham movie was....I have a few, I like Spy as he's hilarious in it and I also like The Transporter because the action is very cool. 

July 8, 2026

Anneke sent this from the Netherlands and mentions that she lives near the Belgian border. She notes that the stamps show writers from the Netherlands.

 

Austria - Tea

 Received April 24, 2026

Alessandra sent this card to me from Vienna, Austria. She asked me if I knew that snow globes were invented in Vienna in 1900. Nope would be my answer! One of the stamps on this card shows the inventor of the snow globe, Erwin Perzy. Unfortunately, Alessandra didn't mention tea at all, but she did include a sticker that I liked a lot!

Here are the stamps she used on the back of the card.

And the cool sticker that I can get behind....

Me too!

Lithuania & China

December 2025 

I received these cool cards later on in December. 

Vygandas sent this cute tea related card from Lithuania. He didn't write much on the back of the card, sad to say.  The stamp he used was also nice.

I'm not sure if this is a lobster or a crayfish!

New Postcrosser CristianoL from China sent this card. No personal message on the back. It's an interesting looking card. It isn't one that matches my interests, but it's fine!

Russia - Tea

March 22, 2019

This colourful card came my way from Elena.  She wrote a very short note on the back too.

She wrote:

Hi, Helen! My name is Elena, I'm from Russia.

And Japan is an unreal world....probably?!..

Russia - Tea

March 12, 2019

This card came from Tanya in Russia. She wrote a few nice words on the back of her card.

She said,

Hello, Helen!

My name is Tanya! I regularly live between Tver and Moscow. The train ride is surprisingly pleasant. I love reading and discovering new things in daily life. I know that our world is getting better and better, every day a little bit, because of you and me.  😃

Chamomile Mo[rest is obscured]

Interesting stamp on the left, the flower one is a sticker and the other stamps are fairly ordinary.

Netherlands - Tea

January 9, 2019

This fabulous card came from Harry and Desiree in the Netherlands.  They wrote a short note on the back and I was very happy when I received this card.

They said;

Hello Helen

We are Harry and Desiree. We live in Almere, it's a city near Amsterdam.

Almere is a nice place.
You can enjoy Hiking and Cycling and beautiful nature.
We hope this card you soon and safe[sic]


As a tea enthusiast, I really loved this card! I think the teapot in the bottom right corner looks very Japanese. I'm sure I've seen ones like it in the high end tea shops.  Thanks so much for the card.

Philippines - Tea

December 27, 2018

This great card came to me near the end of 2018 from the Philippines.  Miguel wrote a lovely friendly note on his card and used cool stamps so it was a very happy Postcrossing for me!

He wrote,

Dear Helen,

Hello from Manilla! I hope htis postcard reaches you well and that you are doing fine. You wrote that you like tea. May I ask what kind you drink? Personally, I like Jasmine tea. I don't know why they failed to include that in this postcard. I went to Taiwan last week and I enjoyed Jasmine Milk Tea. I must have had 10 servings of it. I would very much like to experience a Japanese tea ceremony. I'm sure tradition would add some kind of flavor to the tea. 

Yours, 

Miguel

Herbal Tea Selection
Photo by marilyn barbone

Cool Stamps!

United States of America - Book/Tea

December 25, 2018 (Yes, there is mail delivery on December 25 in Japan as it isn't a national holiday here.)

The note on the back of the card was short and didn't have a lot to say.  The person did list a few of their favourite movies though, so they get brownie points for that.

I really like the card however. It's very literary and it mentions tea and Peter Pan!

The person wrote;

Greetings from Olympia, WA!

My favorite films include Little Shop of Horrors, Kiss Me Kate, The Jerk, & Marat/Sade. [They wrote a line and a half and then scribbled over it so I can't read it.]

Happy Postcrossing!

Would you like an adventure now, or would you like to have your tea first?
Peter and Wendy
J.M. Barrie
 

Santa stamps on Christmas Day.  Yay!

Russia - Beverage Related

October 9, 2018

Kate sent this dreamy card to me from Russia.  She wrote a lovely long message with some translations of the phrases on the card. She didn't sign the card either...but this was a nice one to receive.

She wrote;

Dear Helen!
Hope you'll like this postcard. In the front side, there are words 'Happiness is to make a wish upon a shooting star'. Have you ever tried to make a wish upon a shooting star? I have. When I was a kid.
Now I live in a Big City, and I can Barely see the brightest stars in the night. Sometimes I like going to some lonely [possibly 'lovely'] places without flashing signs and cars rushing around. Have a nice day!

Also on the back of the card, some Russian and the translation, "May every day be happy!"

I love the quiet dreaminess about this card.  I would like to be  that person, or to sit down on the stoop next to her.

Thanks Kate!

Russia - Tea

July 5, 2018

This card came from Katya in Russia.  She has some exciting news on her card too.

She wrote;

Hi Helen! My name is Katya, and I wanted to share with you the good news, on August 31 I'm getting married!

More like serial than movies, but impressed with a film "The Millionaire from Truseb" [Slumdog Millionaire].  Good luck and success in POSTCROSSING :)

I turned the pictures of the stamps 90 degrees because they were sideways on the card.  The sport one is interesting. 

Poland - Food

February 26, 2018

This cool card came to me from Poland and was sent by Joanna.  She sent a some information about her city too, which was interesting for me as I didn't know anything about it.

She wrote,
"Witoj Helen
Greetings from Poland.
If you go to Torun you can eat traditional Polish gingerbread. It has been produced since the Middle Ages. The medieval part of Tokun was designated a UNESCO and it is a city of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.

Joanna"

Thank you for your card Joanna.  Cards with cups of tea or coffee on them make me feel like I'm sitting down with the sender for a cuppa of something nice!

Taiwan - Tea Related

January 27, 2018

This beautiful card came from Vivien in Taiwan, complete with gorgeous food stamps and an informative message.  Yay!

She wrote,

"Konichiwa Helen.  My name is Vivien, and I live in Tainan, southern Taiwan.  I'm sending you a card showing a Chinese tea shop/house (or a regular house?) in the 16th century. On the stamps are a meatball and stinky tofu.

Bon appetite! 😀" 

Tasting Tea (detail)
Wen Zhengming, Ming dynasty (hanging scroll)

These are the stamps she mentioned before.  Very interesting!

Taiwan - Books and Tea

November 14, 2017

This card came to me from Taiwan, with a short note from the sender.  She didn't even sign her name!

She wrote,
"Hi Helen:
This postcard is design by a famous bookstore in Taiwan.  This both include tea and books. Hope you like it."

It is a commercial card, but I don't mind those if they are on topics I like, and this one is.

It is a pity that the cancellation mark covers so much of the stamp. It is quite beautiful.  

United States - Tea

November 10, 2017

This lovely card came into my mail slot recently from the US.  Jacy sent the card and had a friendly, happy message on the back, so it was a pleasure to receive.

She wrote,

"Hello Helen!

I went to Japan back in 2008 and loved it there! I see that you like The Grand Budapest Hotel...one of my favourites! I hope you like the postcard. I love teacups and teapots so I have a bunch of these postcards.

I live in Richmond, VA and have 2 little girls.
Take Care! -Jacy"

Germany - Tea

August 29, 2017

This gorgeous card and stamps came to me from Germany.  Ute wrote a nice message on the back to me.  I will redact a few details for her privacy.

She wrote,

"Hallo Helen,
I am Ute from Bochum, Ruhr Area, Germany.  I like reading books, esp. thriller in a fantasy novel.  I also like listening to oldie music.  I travel around a lot.

Since my early childhood I collect postcards and stamps.

Ute"

The stamp on the right is amazing.  At first, I thought it was a plant, but after a little bit of investigation (thanks, Google!) I found out that it is part of a moth!  It is beautiful, however.

Germany - Tea

August 22, 2017

This postcard came to my mailbox from Julia in Germany.   She wrote me a lovely little note too.

She wrote,

"Hello!
Happy Postcrossing.
My name is Julia.
I live in Germany.
I like summer and
autumn. I love reading.
I love animals . I hope
that they will like the tea card.
Julie"

Germany

July 3, 2017

Annnnnnndddddd.....I'm back!  I'm trying to catch up with Postcrossing as I haven't been able to send cards for nearly three months, so please bear with me.  I hope to be able to send more cards as I work out where the nearest full service post office is, and how I can fit my postcrossing into my schedule.

My first card in a very long time came from Karen in Germany.  She wrote me a great note and used some stickers and cool stamps on the back of the card.

She wrote,

"Hello Helen!

I send you greetings 

from my hometown

Lubbecke, a nice place in 

the west of Germany. I'm 

also a great fan of James 

Bond-movies, the old

ones but also the new 

with Daniel Craig.

Have a good time!

Karen

I don't know if this is a flower card, a herbal tea card, or a herb card, but I think it is quite beautiful!

I couldn't see the top stamp in my German entries on this blog.  It's a beautiful building.

Ukraine - Tea

April 18, 2017

I received this card from the Ukraine while I was off line.  I love it, which is why I want to share it with all of you!  It comes from Alexandra.  She wrote a lovely note on the back and used a Ukrainian Postcrossing stamp, so it was a lovely little treat for me at a difficult time.

She wrote,

"Hello Helen!  My name is Alexandra. I live in Ukraine in the southern city of Odessa.  I work as a florist.  I'm fond of creativity, I like to draw.  In my free time I learn Chinese and English.  And I dream to visit Japan, China and Korea.  

Have a nice day and good luck."

This Postcrossing stamp is truly lovely!  I like how the design on her sleeves looks a bit like stamps. It is bright and colourful and sweet.  Good job Ukraine!  

Russia - Tea

February 13, 2017

This lovely card came from Russia and was sent by Valentina.  It is quite a beautiful card.

She wrote,

"Hello Helen!  Very glad to meet you!  My name is Valentina.  I live in Syktyrkar town, Republic of Komi, Russia.

"Never stop smiling, not even when you're sad, someone might fall in love with your smile." (G.G. Markes)  [Quote printed on card in Russian.] "

The two smaller stamps may be new, I'm not sure.  I don't think I've seen them before! Interesting ones. 

Belarus - Coffee (or Tea!)

December 12, 2016

This card came from Belarus with a nice note on the back from Lera.

She wrote,
"Hello Hellen!
Greetings from Minsk!
My name is Lera, I'm 20 and I learn English and Chinese, I'd like to become an interpreter in future and travel a lot.  I like sweets and all sweet things :-D
Xmas is coming, so I wish you all the best and a Happy New Year too!
Take care"