SPAIN - Artesenia De Galicia

Thanks to Miguel.

USA - A Child Again Painting

'A Child Again' [painting by Michael Kupperman, 2005. Thanks to Benjamin for the card.

TURKEY - Interior of the Blue Mosque, Istanbul

This card was sent by my office friend who when visiting Turkey in 2013.  Thank you Faiza for the beautiful card of Blue Mosque, Istanbul.

"The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Turkish: Sultan Ahmet Camii) is a historic mosque in Istanbul. The mosque is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. It was built from 1609 to 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. Its Külliye contains a tomb of the founder, a madrasah and a hospice. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is still popularly used as a mosque."

NETHERLANDS - Holland Images

UKRAINE

PERU - Street children from Peru

Street children from Peru.  With the help of Mama Alice they canplay and go to school.  (Card sent from Netherlands)

SPAIN - Castle

CANADA - Peggy's Cove,Nova Scotia

A traditional piper welcomes guests on Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia.

"According to legend, Peggy’s Cove was named after the only survivor of a schooner that ran aground and sank in 1800… a woman named Margaret. Local folk called her “Peggy” and her home came to be known as Peggy’s Cove. The original lighthouse was built in 1868."

CANADA - Rue Saint-Paul is a street in the Old Montreal historic area of Montreal, Quebec, Canada

"Rue Saint-Paul (Saint Paul Street) is a street in the Old Montreal historic area of Montreal, Quebec. The street was laid out by François Dollier de Casson, along the route of a path that had bordered a former fort.

Saint Paul is Montreal's oldest street and for many years served as its main thoroughfare. Paved in 1672, it was named after Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve, founder of Montreal, who built a home for himself on it in 1650. The street is home to such landmarks as the Bonsecours Market and Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel. Much of Saint Paul is still paved with cobblestones."

JERSEY - Mont Orgueil Castle Floodlit

"Mont Orgueil is located overlooking the harbour of Gorey. It is also called Gorey Castle and lé Vièr Châté (the Old Castle) by Jèrriais speakers.

The castle is built on a rocky promontory facing the coast of Normandy and overlooking the Bay of Grouville. There are steep slopes and high cliffs on three sides giving an almost impregnable position. In 1204, King Philip of France took Normandy back but King John of England kept the administration of the islands. The Channel Islands became the front line between England and France and work began on Mont Orgueil under the Warden of the Isles, Hasculf du Suligny."

About Channel Islands:

The Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy.

They have a total population of about 168,000 and their respective capitals, Saint Helier and Saint Peter Port, have populations of 33,500 and 16,488, respectively. The total area of the islands is 194 km2.

The Channel Islands fall into two separate self-governing bailiwicks, the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey. Both are British Crown dependencies, and neither is part of the United Kingdom. They have been part of the Duchy of Normandy since the tenth century, and Queen Elizabeth II is often referred to by her traditional and conventional title of Duke of Normandy. However, pursuant to the Treaty of Paris (1259), she governs in her right as The Queen (the "Crown in right of Jersey", and the "Crown in right of the république of the Bailiwick of Guernsey"), and not as the Duke. This notwithstanding, it is a matter of local pride for monarchists to treat the situation otherwise: the Loyal Toast at formal dinners is to 'The Queen, our Duke', rather than to 'Her Majesty, The Queen' as in the UK."

RUSSIA - The Lighthouse by Tatiana Gluschenko

The Lighthouse by Tatiana Gluschenko.

SWEDEN

AUSTRIA MAXICARD -

AUSTRIA MAXICARD

AUSTRIA MAXICARD

AUSTRIA MAXICARD

JAPAN - Maiko Girls enjoying Tea Ceremony in garden, Kyoto

"Maiko is an apprentice Geiko (not exactly same as geisha) in Kyoto, western Japan. Their jobs consist of performing songs, dances, and playing the shamisen (three-stringed Japanese instrument) for visitors during feasts. Maiko are usually aged 15 to 20 years old and become Geiko after learning how to dance (a kind of Japanese traditional dance), play the shamisen, and learning Kyō-kotoba (dialect of Kyoto), regardless of their origins.

Maiko originated from women who served green tea and dango (Japanese dumpling made from rice flour) to people who visited the Kitano Tenman-gū or Yasaka Shrine (these are the two of the famous shrines in Kyoto) at teahouses in the temple town about 300 years ago."

FRANCE - Un Poutou de Toulouse

GERMANY - Bird

Thanks to Antje.

FINLAND - Chocolate

Thanks to postcrosser Jorma for the card.