My Virtual Adventures

China

2008-07-05T19:35:00.001-07:00

This card is cool for a couple of reasons. First, I always love to get cards from China! Second, I LOVE the Olympics, and getting an Olympics postcard is exciting. And finally, even though it's a card about the Beijing Olympics, Xinwen lives in Guangzhou, the city where we will eventually end our adoption journey (as that is where the U.S. Consulate is located)!

Hong Kong

2008-07-05T19:33:00.000-07:00

I don't know what this play in Hong Kong is about, but it certainly looks interesting! :)

Zurich, Switzerland

2008-07-05T19:29:00.000-07:00

Zurich is the biggest city in Switzerland, with about 400,000 inhabitants. According to Sonja, they have a river, a lake, and by clear weather you can see the Alps. It's 1 1/2 hours by car to Germany or Austria, and 3 1/2 hours to France or Italy!

Kernave, Lithuania

2008-07-05T19:26:00.001-07:00

Religious scenes from Kernave in Lithuania!

Lithuania

2008-07-05T15:50:00.000-07:00

This pretty postcard is from Leva, whose favorite is black and white photography, so she picked out this one for me!

Finland

2008-07-05T15:47:00.000-07:00

Such a pretty picture, but I really love the note that Anni wrote on the card...Warm greetings from Finland! And welcome to the beach with me. The sun is setting. But its still nice and warm. You can put your toes in to the warm sea water. Nice, right? Here, have a lovely fresh strawberry and some whipped cream with that. Oh, look! There goes a swan with its baby! How cute are they! I have to go to work now, but you can stay! Have a lovely day! - Anni :)

Schones Elbsandsteingebirge, Germany

2008-07-05T15:45:00.000-07:00

This scene in Germany is of mountains and a bridge that are made of a special stone. The area is in East Germany, and is a popular vacation spot!

St. Gall, Switzerland

2008-07-05T15:44:00.001-07:00

St. Gall in Switzerland, the countryside near the mountains where Rila lives!

St. Petersburg, Russia

2008-07-05T15:42:00.001-07:00

This beautiful card from Anya is of the Mikhailovsky Castle in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Holland

2008-07-05T15:39:00.000-07:00

Monique sent me this card with, as she put it, all the cliches of Holland. :) She says that they actually don't wear those clothes and wooden shoes, live in windmills, or just eat cheese. But in the springtime the tulips really are that lovely! :)

Berlin, Germany

2008-07-05T15:38:00.001-07:00

Bianca sent me this pretty postcard with lots of scenes from her hometown of Berlin, Germany!

Tallinn, Estonia

2008-07-05T15:35:00.000-07:00

This pretty card is from Marion in Estonia. She says that the upper picture is a view of Tallinn from the seaside, and the lower one is with great meaning to Estonia, as it is the place where their singing festivals are held. She also said that they made a movie about it!

Tavira, Portugal

2008-07-05T15:33:00.000-07:00

This pretty card is from Tavira in Portugal. Jo actually lives in Lisbon, but had just traveled to Tavira on vacation. Looking at the pictures, I think I want to go on vacation there too! :)

Trakai, Lithuania

2008-07-05T15:31:00.000-07:00

This is from Trakai, in Lithuania, about 15 minutes from where Evelina lives. She says that it's especially beautiful in the summer (though I think it's pretty all the time!). :)

Piazza di Spagna, Rome, Italy

2008-07-05T15:30:00.001-07:00

This one isn't a postcrossing card - it's from my cousin Amanda, who was in Italy on her senior trip! She had a great time in Rome, and discovered that "the pizza and gelato is wicked good" :)

Switzerland

2008-07-05T15:28:00.001-07:00

A thank you card from Vanessa in Switzerland, who noticed that I didn't have any virtual travels to Switzerland yet! She lives in Zurich, and sent me a card with some typical Swiss scenes!

Finland

2008-07-05T15:27:00.000-07:00

A pretty scene of the south coast of Finland in the winter.

Hannover, Germany

2008-07-05T15:24:00.000-07:00

Man, did I get behind in posting my cool postcrossing postcards! But I'm watching baseball and catching up now! :) This pretty postcard is of Hannover an der Leine in Germany. I've lived in suburbia my whole life, so I can't even imagine living somewhere so pretty!

Japan

2008-03-11T16:54:00.000-07:00

This card is from Euita, a Taiwanese mother of 2 daughters in Japan. She says that this card is of a typical Japanese castle and cherry blossoms, a favorite of the Japanese people.

Canoa Quebrada, Brazil

2008-03-11T16:52:00.000-07:00

This beautiful beach is in Brazil. Cassandra says it's not in her state, but she has been to and it's impressively beautiful!

Netherlands

2008-03-11T16:51:00.000-07:00

These funny penguins were a thank you card from Tineke in the Netherlands. She says that the card is made by a Dutch illustrator of children's books!

Finland

2008-03-11T16:48:00.001-07:00

Salla decorated this postcard from Finland with a favorite poem by Jane Yolen. She is a writer, and also gave me information to read poems in Finnish!

Helsinki, Finland

2008-03-11T16:45:00.000-07:00

This postcard is from Bunny in Helsinki. She says that this church is one of the most beautiful and famous sights in Helsinki. Every year on December 13th the Lucia-Maiden walks down the steps of it to greet the people with light in the winter. Every year a girl is chosen to be Lucia and she wears white clothes and a crown of lingon-berry plants with candles in it.

Frankfurt am Main, Germany

2008-03-11T16:41:00.000-07:00

This postcard from Elisa is from Frankfurt am Main in Germany. She actually lives in Bad Hersleld, but works in Frankfurt am Main. She said that it has a big shopping area that is a shopper's paradise! :)

Finland

2008-03-11T16:38:00.000-07:00

This is my second postcard in a few days from Finland! It's really quite pretty, but I don't think I could handle that much snow!

Finland

2008-03-11T16:36:00.001-07:00

This beautiful forest is in Finland. Maija lives in Launonen, about 70km outside of Helsinki.

Istanbul, Turkey

2008-03-11T16:34:00.001-07:00

Wow! Istanbul is so pretty! Chris really liked this card, as he spent some time in Istanbul and recognized all of the landmarks in the picture! :) Upper left - The Blue Mosque, Upper right - The Haghia Sophia Museum, bottom - The Bosphorus Bridge.

Brussels, Belgium

2008-03-11T16:31:00.000-07:00

This postcard is of one of the symbols of Pierre's town of Brussles, all dressed up for the holidays!

Saaremaa, Estonia

2008-01-28T14:31:00.000-08:00

This pretty scene is of Saaremaa in Estonia. Yanna writes that it is the biggest island in Estonia, and you can only visit by airplane or boat or ship!

Finland

2008-01-28T14:30:00.001-08:00

A pretty horse postcard from Finland.

Belgium

2008-01-28T14:28:00.000-08:00

The neat part of this pretty card from Belgium isn't the artwork. It's that it arrived at my house with no postmarks 83 days after Tom sent it to me!

United Kingdom

2008-01-28T14:24:00.000-08:00

Another funky card - this one from the UK. The card is called "Car Stickers," and the note was really sweet - "I hope you and your daughter get to do it [travel] for real in the future.

Japan

2008-01-28T14:21:00.000-08:00

This pretty little card was a thank you card from Nazuki in Japan!

Taiwan

2008-01-09T18:00:00.000-08:00

This neat postcard was a thank you card from Ariel in Taiwan. It is a picture of Taitung Little Yeliou. According to the card, Little Yeliou is located on the northern banks of the Beinan stream and about 10 km from Taitung City. It is dubbed "Little Yeliou" as there are oddly shaped rocks in this scenic area, whose views are similar to those of Yeliou of the North Coast. Thanks Ariel!

Beijing, China

2007-12-20T18:25:00.000-08:00

A beautiful view of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. This is definitely on my list of "must-sees" when we finally get to go to China!

Nirchheim, Germany

2007-12-20T18:23:00.000-08:00

Christina sent me this card of her town of Nirchheim in Germany. She says that it is a very nice town with very old houses in the south of Germany. To me, it looks just like the ones they recreate in Busch Gardens and Disney World!

Frankfurt, Germany

2007-12-19T18:03:00.001-08:00

A view of Frankfurt, Germany! Frankfurt is the biggest city in the state Hesse, and is a multi-cultural city known for its airport (which is the 3rd biggest in Europe and where Ute works!).

Chania, Crete, Greece

2007-12-19T17:59:00.000-08:00

This postcard is from Ria and Aris in Athens, Greece. Even though they live in Athens, the postcard is from Ria's hometown of Chania on the west part of the island of Crete. The picture is of an old Venetian port; there are also many great beaches, nice villages, and quite high mountains in Chania.

Oborniki, Poland

2007-12-19T17:56:00.000-08:00

I received two postcards from Kevin from Oborniki, Poland. Kevin is a 11 year old boy who likes motorbikes and skating, and hopes to be a fireman in the future.

Brussels, Belgium

2007-12-19T17:26:00.001-08:00

Francoise sent me this beautiful view of Brussels. It is a view of their famous Grand Place - the Grand'Place-Maison des Ducs de Brabant. Very cool!

Russia

2007-12-19T17:25:00.001-08:00

A beautiful postcard from Tatiana in the south of Russia!

Helsinki, Finland

2007-12-19T17:22:00.001-08:00

This postcard from Suvi in Helsinki really made me laugh. Why? Because she says that her boyfriend looks like a Hobbit (and we all know that Chris has Hobbit feet!!) :) The postcard is of a cathedral in Helsinki where in the summer people sit on the steps and eat lunch!

Sweden

2007-12-19T17:20:00.001-08:00

This fun postcard is from Elin, a 13 year old boy from Sweeden. He lives about one hour by train from the capital Stockholm, and he is a huge Harry Potter fan (like me!)

Virolahti, Finland

2007-12-19T17:18:00.001-08:00

Another neat art postcard! This one is from Katja from Finland. She wrote to me about how her town got its first snow of the season that day!

Berlin, Germany

2007-12-19T17:15:00.001-08:00

Not a picture of Berlin, but a card from Fine in Berlin, Germany!

London, Ontario, Canada

2007-12-19T17:05:00.001-08:00

This view is of London in Ontario, Canada. Jen sent me this pretty card. There is a hockey arena (the John Labatt Centre) on the other side of the castle-like building!

Uusikaupunki, Finland

2007-12-19T16:59:00.001-08:00

Paivi sent me this postcard from her town in Finland. She lives in the countryside with her husband and two cats.

Tiamjin, China

2007-12-19T16:55:00.001-08:00

Another card from China - I love it! This one is from Yao, who lives in Tiamjin, a big city in the north of China. It's near the capital of Beijing. The picture is of Beihai Park - hopefully we will get to visit it when we are in China (which will hopefully be soon!!).

Turkey

2007-12-19T16:53:00.000-08:00

Aylin from Turkey sent me this postcard from Turkey. It's of St. Sophia-Istanbul, a place that Chris has been into when he lived in Turkey. He says there were some very big stray cats in there - I just think it's beautiful!

Germany

2007-12-19T16:50:00.000-08:00

This postcard is from Christoph in Germany. It's a picture of the Russian windjammer Sedov during the biggest sailing event in the world. Christoph is studying medicine in the northeast regional capital of Germany. Very cool!

Netherlands

2007-12-19T16:48:00.000-08:00

This pretty postcard is from Albert from the Netherlands. The card says Bruges - Close of the Vineyard.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2007-12-19T16:34:00.000-08:00

This postcard from Azlan in Malaysia. The picture is of the National Monument in Kuala Lumpur's Lake Gardens. I had to look up where Malaysia was on a map, but I recognized the monument from an episode of The Amazing Race!

Beijing, China

2007-12-19T16:31:00.000-08:00

Of course, I was really excited to get my first postcard from China! This is from infanta from Beijing, and is a card of one of the Olympic mascots (I was also excited because I actually have a collection of Olympic postcards from years past!)

Paris, France

2007-12-19T16:28:00.000-08:00

I was so excited to get this postcard from Sebjarod in Paris, since we got to visit Sacre-Couer when we were in Paris last fall (my one actual trip out of the US!!) It was so beautiful, and reminded me of the wonderful trip we had!

Barcelona, Spain

2007-12-19T16:26:00.000-08:00

This neat postcard from Spain is from Jose. It's of Parc Guell by Gaudi, his favorite place in his town of Barcelona. I SO want to visit!

Orivesi, Finland

2007-12-19T16:21:00.000-08:00

This neat postcard is from Eelis and Pieti from Finland. They are 4 and 6 years old, and the card was a thank you for the card I sent them from Virginia! It's a Finnish ABC learning card with some words for me! They live in a small town in middle of Finland, near Tampere, though their house is in the countryside surrounded by fields and forests. Very cool!

Germany

2007-12-19T16:11:00.000-08:00

This funky postcard is from Bianca from Karlsruhe in the south of Germany. Her town has a big castle...how cool!

Tampere, Finland

2007-12-19T16:08:00.000-08:00

Greetings from Eveliina, her husband, and two dogs (Rocky & Rambo) from Tampere, Finland. This is a view from the heart of her city!

Finland

2007-12-19T16:04:00.001-08:00

Not a picture from Finland, but a sweet card from Sanna in Finland.

Gold Reef City, South Africa

2007-12-19T16:00:00.000-08:00

Sawubona = Greetings from South Africa! This neat postcard from Sandy in South Africa is of Gold Reef City, a tourist attraction and entertainment centre.

Wilnsdorf, Germany

2007-12-19T15:58:00.000-08:00

A beautiful view of Wilnsdorf/Sigerland in West Germany.

Kromeriz, Czech Republic

2007-12-19T15:55:00.001-08:00

Chris spent some time after college in the Czech Republic - it looks so beautiful! This postcard is from Milar in Kromeriz in the Czech Republic. It's a UNESCO town with a rich history. So beautiful!

Kent, United Kingdom

2007-12-19T15:48:00.000-08:00

This neat postcard is from Frankie in Lydd, Kent, in Great Britain. The card (and the stamps used to send it!) are a special release by the Post Office!

Finland

2007-12-19T15:45:00.001-08:00

How cute is this bear?? :) This postcard is from Sangbathory from Finland. She says that this is a typical Finnish forest (though she has only seen a wild bear once!) She lives in the countryside with lots of forests around.

Germany

2007-12-19T15:40:00.000-08:00

This beautiful postcard is from Maren. She lives in the western part of Germany, and this card shows one of the three castles in her hometown. It's a fashion school now! Oh, how I wish I had castles in my town!!!

Helsinki, Finland

2007-12-19T15:28:00.000-08:00

My first postcard! From Jonnanan is Finland, this is an old picture from Helsinki.

Welcome!

2007-12-19T15:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my virtual adventures blog! I'm using my time that I'm waiting sort-of wisely, and trying to see some of the world. Since I'm not such a good traveler, I'm doing it virtually. I've been doing postcrossing since September, and have received postcards from all over the world. It's so amazing to see places that I'll never get to actually visit, and learn about people everywhere. (I love the pictures, but the notes from people around the world are so amazing!) I am also just now starting to participate in toy voyagers as well. I'm planning on using my blog to share my "adventures" with all of you!

Oh yes...for those that are new to postcrossing...postcrossing is an online community where you send a postcard to someone (they randomly generate a name/address of a user). When your postcard arrives, your name goes on the list to receive a postcard from a random user. You can have up to 5 postcards traveling at any time. It's SO much fun - you can read more and sign up at www.postcrossing.com.