Postcrossing Blog

The writing prompts invite postcrossers to write about a different topic on their postcards’ messages every month. These are just suggestions though — if you already know what you want to write about, or the recipient gives you some pointers, that’s great too!

December is a sweet month in many countries, which got us thinking… what are some traditional desserts from your country? If we visited today, what would you serve us as a treat after lunch or perhaps mid-afternoon, with tea?

Portugal’s confectioneries are numerous and legendary… but sometimes the simplest pleasures are the nicest ones, is it not?

Traditionally made with just 3 ingredients, “Pão de ló” is a fluffy cake you’ll find mostly in the north of the country… but also in places like Japan where it was taken to in the 16th century by Portuguese merchants. Similar to sponge cake, it is most delicious when made “wet” by undercooking, so that it can be eaten with a spoon. And as with most cakes and sweets around here, it takes a ton of eggs to make, which is why all our sweets are very yellow. :)

What about your country? What are those special desserts everyone should try? Share them in the postcards you send this month… and in the comments as well, so that we can make a list of delicious stuff to try when we visit your country! 😋

The writing prompts invite postcrossers to write about a different topic on their postcards’ messages every month. These are just suggestions though — if you already know what you want to write about, or the recipient gives you some pointers, that’s great too!

Earlier this year, postcrosser Marg (aka MargLondon) sent BBC Radio 4 a really nice sound clip about her favorite sound, which was the sound of postcards being dropped through her mail slot. In the conversation we had with her afterwards, I discovered Marg had been collecting sounds for quite some time, all around the world. In her profile, she asks for members to write about what they hear in their city, home or room, and we thought this was a nice idea.

So stand very still for a minute and listen carefully to the sounds around you. What do you hear?

From where I sit, I hear mostly swallows and sparrows chirping away. Some distance buzz from traffic, the rustle from the palm trees swaying in the wind… and Paulo, quietly typing away on his keyboard.

If I had to pick one sound to represent this region though, it would be the sound of cicadas in the summer. Their loud buzzing is a permanent soundtrack on warm days around here, starting quietly and then quickly increasing in volume as more of them join in, like a wave of sound. They’re so omnipresent in the region that for us, the song of the cicadas sounds like being home.

What about you, which sounds are special to your place? What do you hear all around you? And what memories do they stir? Let’s listen carefully and write about it on the postcards we send out this month.

The writing prompts invite postcrossers to write about a different topic on their postcards’ messages every month. These are just suggestions though — if you already know what you want to write about, or the recipient gives you some pointers, that’s great too!

October’s writing prompt comes a few days ahead of schedule but since we’re participating in the global climate strike today, we thought it was the right time for it. This is a topic that has been on our mind this year, and perhaps yours as well.

I’ll go first then. As temperatures increase for us in southern Portugal, our summers will become hotter and hotter, with less and less rain — basically, an extension of Morocco’s arid weather. Forest fires will be even more of a problem, and droughts will likely be a yearly recurrence, impacting not just crops but also our ability to generate hydropower.

On the other hand, there’s also the rising sea levels to cope with, and the impact of that rise on many of the coastal ecosystems. Where will the seahorses and flamingoes go, if we no longer have lagoons and salt ponds to host them?

What about where you live, how is the climate changing going to change there? And what is the prognosis for the future of your region? Let’s take this opportunity to inform ourselves and start some conversations about the future of our planet.

PS – If you’re in Europe, this comprehensive study assesses how a 2°C warming scenario could affect the continent in eleven impact areas. If you know of similar studies for your area, please share them in the comments below.

The writing prompts invite postcrossers to write about a different topic on their postcards’ messages every month. These are just suggestions though — if you already know what you want to write about, or the recipient gives you some pointers, that’s great too!

This month, we suggest looking at an interesting part of our cultural inheritance: crafts!

We all know that each country or perhaps even a particular region or town has its own special form of handmade crafts that they’re famous for. Some are even classified as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, such as the hand-making of washi paper in Japan or the bobbin lace-making in Slovenia. So what about your own region or country? What crafts do people do there?

If I had to pick something to represent the southernmost region of Portugal, I’d probably choose palm weaving. We have lots of palm trees around here, and for centuries their leaves have been dried and weaved intricately to create a variety of products — like baskets, bags, chairs or brushes. They’re well-made, last a very long time, and look beautiful too!

So what are the handicrafts that your region is known for? Share them with others on the postcards you write this month!

The writing prompts invite postcrossers to write about a different topic on their postcards’ messages every month. These are just suggestions though — if you already know what you want to write about, or the recipient gives you some pointers, that’s great too!

This month’s prompt was suggested by both Jetske and LenaSophie some time ago on the forum:

So… any good literary tips?

The last book I’ve read is one I’ve read quite a few times, and regularly return to when I’m feeling overwhelmed. It’s a very short read called How to Live on 24 Hours a Day, by Arnold Bennett. Despite being a book from the early 1900s (and thus available for free at Project Gutenberg), its advice still feels very appropriate in the age of digital distractions. I would recommend it to anyone who feels like they are constantly running out of time, for some refreshing perspective.

What about you? What was the last book you’ve read? And would you recommend it? We encourage you to write about it on the postcards you send out this month.

PS – A quick update on our 150 years of postcards party: events are being planned in 12 different countries already, including museum tours and many meetups. Later today we will check our PO box to see if the first postcards for the UPU postcard exhibition have already arrived. We’ll keep you posted! 😊