Postcards for the weekend 81: Monuments

Private Swap

The Arch of Titus is an honorific monument dedicated to Titus, son of Vespasian. It was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Domitian in AD 82. The arch is significant for one reason among others that the menorah depicted on this arch has been the menorah used on the emblem for the state of Israel. 

Private Swap, sent from Berlin, Germany
Sent 17 August 2012, Traveled 9,860 km

Brandenburg Gate is one of the best-known monuments and landmarks of Germany. It was built in the 18th century under the orders of Frederick William II of Prussia. The gate is both a symbol of the tumultuous history of Europe and Germany and of unity and peace.

Happy weekend everyone,

~maria

L is for Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

Facebook Swap, Sender: Dany
Sent: 31 July 2012 from Cuxhaven, Germany
Received date not stamped on card, Traveled 10089 km

L is for Leaning Tower of Pisa and for Last Week of Lent this year.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a UNESCO WHS that I've always dreamed to see for real since I was in grade school. While working for my masters degree, I thought of applying for a short training course in Italy so I can make a side trip to this attraction. This site has been on the list since the year I was born. So perhaps I should imagine for a monumental year to visit this, say when I turn 30? Ah, sounds like a plan!

Lent, as we know is a Catholic event on its last week for this year. I haven't been a devout and observant Catholic but I am hoping to be able to reflect and meditate more before the season is over. A lot of overwhelming changes are happening lately due to life changing decisions I've made at the start of this year. I know I need to slow down and have some time to look deeper inside myself. 

But my oh my, it's Monday! Gotta stop being pensive for now and F-O-C-U-S. There are so many things to learn and get accomplished in a little time.

I wish all of us a great week!

~maria

Domes and Spires

Bloggers Postcard Swap, Sender: Anne
Sent: 11 Sep 2013 from Swindon, UK
Received: 24 Sep 2013, Traveled 10,838 km in 13 days

Facebook Private Swap, Sender: Diana
Sent: 26 Sep 2012 from Kėdainių r., Lithuania Traveled ~9,082 km

Friendship Gift Postcard, Sender: Marie
Sent: 7 July 2013 from Padova, Italy
Received: 15 July 2013, Traveled 10,569 km in 8 days

BE-229035, Sender: Marie-Jeanne
Sent: 11 Sep 2013 from Brussels, Belgium
Received: 24 Sep 2013, Traveled 10,478 km in 13 days

Linking up for:

~maria

The post, etc.

The theme for Sunday Stamps today is the post, letters, post boxes, etc.

I'm happy to find 4 related stamps in my collection:

From Netherlands, I have this postcrossing.com stamp issued in 14 October 2011 by PostNL.

The 'Posta Italiana', issued in 7 July 2009. According to the Poste Italiane website, the design "features an envelope taking off, leaving behind a trail formed by the colors of the Italian flag."

This stamp was issued by the Česká pošta in 9 October 2011 to commemorate 

the annual World Post Day. 

A commemorative issue on 3 August 2012 by the Office National des Postes Tunisie 

for the Arab Post Day. 

~maria

Heart Mailbox

Touchnote Postcard, Sender: Roberta
Sent: 9 September 2012, Sent from Faenza, Italy

Rainy season is here. Too bad, that's exactly the same as saying, flood season is here! Just today, my usual 45 minutes commute from the hospital to my apartment became 2 hours. Half of the trip, I was wet with flood water.

Moving on, since I started collecting postcards 2 years ago, I've always feared for my postcards and other stuff from the mail will get wet during rainy season. The postman puts them in the slit of my apartment door. Whenever someone opens the door, the postcards and other stuff (letter, etc.) falls on her head. I like it that way actually, like a shower of postcards. But during rainy season, it's not a very nice idea because sometimes they fly outside the door. And when they fall on wet surface...that's gonna be extremely sad.

It's not possible for me to have my own mailbox though. For some reasons I wish not to discuss. But if I can, it would be something similar to this card Roberta sent me. She said that this wood mailbox is from Trentino Alto Adige in South Tyrol.

Linking with Clytie @ Random Hearts. I wish all of you a better Thursday than mine.

~maria

Gandalf & Unification Stamps

I've been so excited to share stamps that I received last week with Viridian's Sunday Stamps.

I am really glad that the first of two themes today is 'anything you wish'. Perfect for me to feature these Gandalf stamps. I got them at the back of the two postcards sent to me by my master's degree thesis advisor. He was attending a conference in New Zealand at the exact timing for The Hobbit's  opening season there. I watched the film last week and it was awesome! I was really impatient for this film as I am also a big fan of The Lord of the Rings. And also because the film's main star is Martin Freeman who plays that Dr. John Watson character (such an adorable loyal friend!) in BBC's Sherlock TV series. (Anyone reading this from New Zealand...I really wish to get a Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins stamp for my birthday on February. Please message me if you hear/read my request. Thank you! :D )

The next theme is a challenge to find 'a stamp commemorating the end of something'. It's a challenge really as I had to diligently scan every postcards album that I have to find a stamp fit for the theme. And here's what I got, a stamp for the 150th Anniversary of the Unification of Italy.

The Unification of Italy according to my online research, is significant because it brought a finality to the Vienna settlement of 1815. Now that required me to read about European history cause I barely know anything about it...so I learned that the Vienna conference from November 1814 to June 1815 aimed to unite the political and social structure in Central Europe. Allow me to side comment --Thanks Uncle Wiki, you're always so dependable ;) Moreover, the unification marks the end of lack of agreement between Italian states -- proving that nationalism was still of greater value than liberalism, which was a more popular school of thought for change at that time.

I am looking forward into sharing New Year stamps next week! For now, I wish everyone a wonderful year ender and a cheerful welcome for the 2013 on the night of the 31st.

~maria

Michaelangelo's Masterpieces

Thanks so much to my senior medical physicist, Hazel for the 20 postcards from Italy! :) I wanna post more but the net is too slow...these 2 are among my favorites: Michaelangelo's masterpieces.

The Creation of Adam from the ceiling of Sistine Chapel from the first card was painted in 1511. It's an illustration of one of the stories from the Book of Genesis.

The second card means so much to me...I was cast of a play for Holy Week. I was Mary and together with the actor playing Jesus, we had the La Pietà tableau for almost 30minutes. I had leg cramps for 3 days I believe! I guess that was penitence enough for the Holy Week season that year :p