We don’t need to write anything, not really. “Thinking of you” is the single thing that the majority of the posted cards say.
Here is a collection of guides for sending postcards from different countries if you were to find yourself in the foreign country, thinking of someone.
I love postcards and I love the idea of being thought of by a friend some time in the past unbeknownst to me. Equally, I want to let my friends know that even though they were not with me, and I didn’t necessarily wish that they were there with me, they simply had been on my mind.
I want more people to be keeping a rollodex of their friends’ addresses and writing postcards on a whim.
I suggest to always put date, time, and location as you sign your postcards, and take a photo of it before mailing for your own recollection.
Find a post office (郵局 or 中華郵政), get a number for the queue, go to the counter when your number shows on the screen, and purchase stamps. There is usually a dedicated English service counter. Language should not be a problem. Just show them the written cards with country clearly spelt out.
The convenience stores (7-11 and such) “sell” stamps but it really depends on if the clerk you meet can be bothered and if they are experienced enough. A lot more talking is involved, but if you’re desparate given post offices’ limited opening times, it’s worth trying.
As of 2024, the postage from domestic to international postcards ranges from 5 NTD (domestic) to 12 NTD (EU, south America) per. If you are unsure, just put 12 NTD stamp or slightly higher. You can obviously also combine stamps of different values.
Usually there is a permanant exhibit and a souvenier shop selling postcards. There is also a post office in the presidential office building with exclusive stamps.
As of 2024, the postage from domestic to international postcards ranges from ¢53 (domestic) to $1.55 (international) per.
In 2024, postage costs for postcards are 63 JPY domestically and 100 JPY for international airmail. However, there are no 100 JPY stamps available. Please creatively combine stamps such as a 63 JPY with a 40 JPY stamp, an 84 JPY with a 20 JPY stamp, or use two 63 JPY stamps to make up for amounts over 100 JPY.
You should be able to get stamps in any of the stores and post offices listed on posturinn.is. Most people in Iceland speak excellent english so you shouldn’t have any issues (given you speak english of course).
As of 2024, the postage from domestic to international postcards ranges from 290 ISK (domestic) to 330 ISK (EU) and 420 ISK (Rest of the world) per.
The Icelandic post office has been steadily reducing the amount of postboxes so it might be tricky finding a postbox. Luckily their website maintaines a list of postboxes and their location.