Postcrossing is an online project for people to exchange postcards with other project members globally. There are currently just over 800,000 members, more than 200 countries represented, and almost 74 million postcards received.

In the 7 years that Nancy Noble has been a member, she’s sent and received only 35 postcards, which is very few compared to many postcrossers. But in this limited correspondence, she’s received postcards from Brazil, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, Russia,
Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, Ukraine, and the United States (including Seattle, Finger Lakes, and Chicago). And she’s sent postcards to Germany, Russia, and the United States, but also Slovenia and Sweden.

Direct swaps are an option, and Nancy swapped postcards with Martin in the Czech Republic at his request. She also recently became a pen pal with Inga in Germany also at her request—she just sent a long letter about her life north of Hamburg.

But mostly these random postcards from all over the world bring a smile to Nancy’s face when they land in her mailbox here on Long Island.

Interspersed with the postcards in the exhibit case are coins and bills from the various countries Karen has visited over the past twenty years. She’s spent a lot of time in both Asia and South America. Countries represented include Malaysia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Nepal, China, and Thailand, as well as Bolivia, Guatemala, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, and Uruguay.

Karen always travels as cheaply as possible, booking flights for “shoulder season” when they are less expensive, staying in hostels, and often traveling by bus. She’s met amazing people and learned so much along the way.

Long Island Community Library small meeting room exhibit case

Open during library hours