Bumper Crop In Vietnam

Sometimes the back of the card gives you a title for the postcard that you're not entirely sure about; however, this girl looks really content with the crop she's carrying, beautiful smile. I'd guess it a paddy field she's working in. 

Vietnamese Old Woman

I have received this wonderful card via lottery. What is the feeling you get when looking at this face? I see hard work, wisdom and calm. For some reason a word 'miserable' was typed on the back, but this is not the apt word, or at least it shouldn't be! Only kind words should supplement this photo. Thank you Ta Tan Dat :)

Ladakh Woman

A different postcard from India...from the very north where Ladakh ('land of high passes') extends from the Kuen Lun mountain range to the main Great Himalayas to the south, inhabited by people of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan descent. It is one of the most sparsely populated regions in Jammu and Kashmir and its culture and history are closely related to that of Tibet. 

A woman spinning wool, thanks a lot Piyali :)

Preparing Tea In Algeria

It's been a while since I've received this card with lovely stamps to match...and a lovely invitation from Algeria, thank you Riyad (once again) :)

Market Florist, Senegal

A wonderfully colourful card from Senegal, courtesy of Sebastien :) Somewhere along the way a bit of perfume was spilt on the card and the whole bunch from the mailbox was smelling for days.. How apt, I guess..!

Tibetan Folk Costume

One card from the set of ethnic people in China, I found this a very interesting headwear :) There are no details on the back but mention of Tibetan peoples living in Chinese provinces, I wish I had more info about this, but am nevertheless happy to have this card in my collection, thank you Hanna :)

 

Akha Hilltribe Woman, Thailand

The lady is puffing it up...The Akha are an indigenous hill tribe who live in small villages at higher elevations in the mountains of Thailand, Burma, Laos, and Yunnan Province in China. They made their way from China into Southeast Asia during the early 20th century.

Women wear broad leggings, a short black skirt with a white beaded sporran, a loose fitting black jacket with heavily embroidered cuffs and lapels. Akha women are known for their embroidery skills.  

I haven't been to any of the northern Thailand villages...though I did want to, very much so. It requires more time and more chilling way of travel, which hopefully will happen one day :)

Fishermen On Sri Lanka

This is such an iconic image isn't it? A wonderful view from a dear friend on holiday :)) What can I add, except that I so wish that I was there with her. And look, it is NOT a zodiac stamp..!

Touareg Woman On A Donkey, Algeria

Oh how happy I was to receive this surprise postcard from Riyad, and how gutted that it came in this state! I cannot imagine where its been to get crumpled like that...but the joy still beat the sadness and i am very grateful :)) Showing a Touareg woman wearing festive clothing.

We The Peoples...United Nations New York

Great card from Denise, gorgeous Taj Mahal stamp, thanks! Not written on the back what ethnic group is on the picture, I will faintly guess it is the Himalayas in the background...if anyone has any idea feel free to contribute in a comment.

Children Of Guatemala

Two postcards showing indigenous children of Guatemala which were written by Ale's students - as it happens today is Ale's birthday so I will say - gracias e feliz cumpleaños!

 

The stamps cause some questionmarks popping above my head, the traditional Guatemalan dishes of Kaq'ik and Plátanos En Mole are described as Intangible Cultural Heritage but I cannot find them on the official list...not that it matters, they are great stamps, as is El Sombrerón - a fictional character and one of the most famous legends of Guatemala told in books and film. His main characteristics: a short man with black dress a thick and brilliant belt; he wears a black, large hat and boots that make a lot of noise when he walks.

He likes to mount horses and braid their tails and manes. When he cannot find horses, he braids dogs. He also likes to court young ladies who have long hair and big eyes. When he likes one in particular, he follows her, braids her hair, serenades to her with his silver guitar; but he also puts soil in her plate and she is not able to eat or sleep. Quite a character he is, El Sombrerón!

 

Embera Woman, Panama

Every now and then I look for swaps on official postcrossing site, browsing the countries in search of people who are open to private swaps...the score so far hasn't been the greatest, people often disappear or are overwhelmed with all the requests. Not this time though! Muchas gracias to Cesar Augusto, who has chosen this portrait of a woman from the river Chagres area in eastern Panama belonging to Emberá people (also known in the historical literature as the Chocó or Katío).

Wonderful! :))

 

On a sadder note, the scanner at work is dying a slow death...I have a feeling I contributed to that with my at times incessant scanning of postcards :/ Why oh why now when I was about to do the last batch before I go home for the winter?! Time to shop for a scanner I guess...

 

Daily Life In Mu Cang Chai, Vietnam

Mu Cang Chai is a rural district in Yen Bai province, north central Vietnam, where forestry and farming are the main econimic stay. It is  mountainous, with green rice fields in the valleys; many different ethnic groups live here in unison.

I have no words for this scene...its just such a great photograph, balanced and tranquil. E.g. just take the dog out of the picture and its a different dynamics..! Perfect, but such are the postcards Jo sends :) Actually I've tagged for this one, and yesterday morning I managed to tag again but deleted it because I felt so selfish heh. Thanky so much Jo xD (and for participating in tags with your great offers!)

People Of Bangladesh

 

 

My first written & stamped postcards from Bangladesh - and oh did I have to be patient to receive them! They show a native woman processing paddy and a scene of spear-fishing. First time they were sent they've never arrived, the 2nd time it took them 4 and 4 1/2 months to arrive (makes you wonder what happens on the way esp as they were sent on the same date..!) Many thanks to Subrata, who used an excellent sellection of stamps :))

People Of Tibet

As the last post for Sunday Stamps #121: Stamps from China I add two portraits of people from Tibet - a young girl in the snowy mountains, and a representation of folklore. I couldnt find anything on the latter but I will do more extensive research as this costume looks very interesting...

I was thrilled to see this many stamps on the back: the 1st is from a set of four Historic Relics of Macao issued in 1997 and shows the Ruins of St. Paul's, which are in some way hauntingly beautiful...The other two scenic stamps are two from a set of four showing Shennongjia Forestry District.

All my posts today are dedicated to China in case you are interested ;)
And here you can see some really gorgeous Chinese stamps, honest! Just click the links :)

                                                        

People Of Egypt

A wonderful portrait of a Nubian elder from Egypt. The Nubians are an ethnic group originally from northern Sudan and southern Egypt; in ancient times they were famous for their horsemanship, and skill and precision with the bow. There were a number of small Nubian kingdoms throughout the Middle Ages, but the last one collapsed in 1504.

There is a great shop with egyptian souvenirs in the beautiful district of Zamalek, called Fair Trade Egypt. Not only does it have a plethora of hand-made items for sale, but also the part of the proceedings goes to the artists themselves and supports the traditional crafts. It is where I got this postcard showing craftswomen woving baskets in the Al Fayoum oasis. Sent sometime in November 2008!

Navajo People, USA

I have received this postcard some time ago, before postcrossing...in fact, it was 1997. There is a vintage feel to it so the postcard itself might be quite older. I used to have a penpal living in Colorado and he sent me a surprise - a glimpse of the Land Of The Navajo, a woman and a child standing in front of a typical traditional Navajo home called hogan.

Navajo people are the largest federally recognized tribe of the US. The Navajo Nation constitutes an independent governmental body, which manages the Navajo Indian reservation in the Four Corners area of the States - the southwestern corner of Colorado, northwestern corner of New Mexico, northeastern corner of Arizona and southeastern corner of Utah.

Native People Of Vietnam

In a short-lived RR that I once joined, we had to send two written&stamped postcards to the group members - I was in a group with a lovely postcrosser Jo :) She sent me two beautiful postcards showing people in everyday situations, and great variety of stamps.

Many people in Vietnam use cyclos or cycle rickshaws to do their everyday errands. The youngsters of H'mong ethnic group, in the mountainous north-western SaPa district, are having a meal or a snack - am curious what exactly! Thanks so much Jo, love these cards :))

An Envelope Of Joy, Indonesia

At first I was puzzled to have received an envelope fron Indonesia, cos I was expecting postcards from Shinta, and she knows I like them written & stamped...and when I opened it, I couldn't but gasp in amazement, cos she sent me all three cards with stamps and cancellations! To top it all, she added a folding card that I had in my favs, and the gorgeous portrait of the happy old Javanese couple which never arrived for a tag. Shinta is such a great postcrosser, and its a shame that her postcards get lost on the way cos she puts so much love into writing them...I guess her and Ana would have to compete for the neatest handwriting :P

I dont know what the painting on the folding card shows exactly, but its colourful and vibrant and I love it :) The next two cards show the traditional farming of the Indonesian islands - transplanting rice, and picking teas. The last is a detailed Unesco view, reliefs of the Borobudur Temple.

The last item is a beautiful intricate bookmark which I will keep sealed to keep it safe :)

Thank you so much Shinta! Btw do you use fragrant pen? ;)))