Sunset perfection, casting that magical glow over the beach. Seriously, postcard perfection!
This postcard was sent by my awesome friend, Dylan, and is giving me some serious island-envy. Talk about breathtaking – those fiery colours and the calm ocean… it practically screams tranquility. Can you imagine being there, toes in the sand, watching this unfold in real life? Sigh.
This postcard is a double first for me! Not only is it the first (and maybe only?) one I’ve ever received from Fiji, but it’s also the inspiration for my very first entry in this week’s Thursday Postcards Hunt. That magical Fijian sunset is definitely postcard perfection, and it holds a special place in my collection for both reasons!
Before the Khmer New Year this year, my boss (who is based in Battambang province) swung by the Phnom Penh Programme Office for his regular check in. On his last night in Phnom Penh, we had a staff dinner and, unlike other well-funded NGOs, ours was a split-the-bill-evenly kind of situation. But hey, our budget woes didn’t stop the good times!
Southeast Asia has a fantastic tradition when it comes to beer: it’s all about camaraderies and laughter. Picture this: a bunch of people around a table laden with food, karaoke, mugs or cans of beer in hand, ready to clink glasses and celebrate. As an expat in Cambodia, one thing that really caught my eye (and my funny bone a few times) was how they toast here. It’s a whole different ball game to what I’m used to back home (and probably everywhere else!).
In Cambodia, for starters, beer comes with an endless supply of ice (genius in the heat!) and often a straw for, I don’t know, maybe some added fun experience. When it’s time to toast, or chol muoy (one sip), as they call it locally, forget the usual clink-sip routine. It’s a ritual that’s about more than just a drink.
Here’s the fun (and sometimes slightly overwhelming) part: cheering is a huge part of the beer-drinking experience. In Cambodia, saying chol moy with every sip is pretty much the norm. So, you take a swig, everyone else follows suit (and vice versa). But the twist? Every time someone raises their mug for a toast, you have to do the same – and it happens a LOT, which can be quite amusing (or slightly annoying) for a newbie in Cambodia. Imagine you just finished raising your mug and half-way through taking a sip when another one decides to chol muoy again, and so on – hah, you get the picture! And forget about a simple raise of your glass – those mugs and cans got to clink for a proper cheer!
Each clink is like an invitation to share stories, have a laugh, and build memories together. It’s a beautiful way of celebrating the sense of community that is at the heart of Cambodian beer-drinking culture. And, as I looked around the table that night, I saw this incredible mix of people and thought about how similar and yet different we are at the same time, united by the universal language of cheers.
So, as we sat down with our boss that night, we raised our mugs to the moments that bring us together, to the challenges that push us to do our best work, to the traditions that make us smile, and to the quirky customs that remind us – especially expats like me – that sometimes it’s the little things that make life in a foreign country truly delightful. Chol muoy!
Hey everyone, it’s been a while! Remember Postcards Crossing and the Stamp Menagerie (now offline)? Yeah, it’s been a few years since I last posted, but life (and let’s be honest, a little social media overload) got in the way. But you know what? Sometimes you just got t come back to the things you love, and that includes the wonderful world of snail mail! And for my comeback post, I’m bringing a stamp that’s all about movement and celebrating the awesome people who keep our mails moving – perfect for the Sunday Stamps theme!
Issued as FDC in 2008.
This bright yellow stamp from Croatia in 2008 is like a ray of sunshine! At first glance, I thought those black figures were working ants at first, but nope, they’re postal workers in action. The black figures and the red details are a fun contrast against that yellow background. The stamp commemorates the annual POŠTANSKI ŠPORTSKI SUSRETI, which basically translates to “Postal Workers’ Sports Games”. They’ve been doing this since 2000, and it’s not about sorting mail fast or delivering mails quick – it’s about getting everyone together for a day of fun, fitness, and some friendly competition.
Imagine it: mail carriers, office staff, everyone from all over Croatia coming together for bowling, table tennis, football, even chess! There are even medals and trophies for the winners, plus a special “Fair Play Cup” for the most enthusiastic and sportsmanlike team. How cool is that?
This stamp reminds me of the movement and energy behind the postal system worldwide. It’s not just about the mail itself; it’s all about the people who make it happen. And also the importance of getting together, having some fun, and moving those bodies! 🙂
Huge thanks to my postcard-swap buddy, Tomi, for sending this gem my way. It’s the perfect reminder to get back into the swing of things and start blogging about postcards, stamps, and letters – things I geek about. Here’s to a new season of reconnecting with old blogger-friends and maybe even starting some new snail mail adventures!
P.S. Not sure if this event is still happening, but gotta give props to the Croatian postal workers! Look at them rocking out to support their Eurovision 2024 entry. Talk about dedicated fans! Seems like the Croatian postal service is pretty active. Croatian Postal workers dance to the rhythm of Rim Tim Tagi Dim.
