CA-1033151

 I think I've never mentioned before but street art is something that I really like. Even though I'm (still) not collecting street art cards, I already have a few that I bought here and there. This is the 1st I got from Postcrossing. 

Artiste: Rafael Sottolichio - Photo: Marie-Josée Archambault * Postcrossing logo is a registered trademark

CA-1033151, sent by Corrina.

Montreal is known as an artist's paradise. With murals and graffiti in every corner of the city, it's not difficult to see why Montreal is considered such a unique urban centre that stands out from other major cities in Canada. 

Buildings across the city are adorned with gigantic works of art, giving it a vibrant and colourful personality. But why are there so many artistic murals all over the place? Well, the city has actively promoted street art for nearly 60 years; since 1961, the Quebec government has required public building projects to devote 1% of their budget to initiatives in art. This policy has resulted in around 3,500 public art works being produced so far.

Montreal’s busiest street, Saint-Laurent Boulevard, is where you’ll find the majority of the city’s graffiti and murals. Affectionately known as “La Main”, Saint-Laurent is a long street (nearly 7 miles!) that runs north to south across the city, and its surrounding areas. - in: https://alwayscarryon.com

This mural on the card can by seen in this area, more exactly in Collège Street. It was painted in 2015 by Rafael Sottolichio. 

St. Mary Church, Newport - USA

This beautiful church in Newport, Rhode Island, is the church where John Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier got married in 1953.

 

 Copyright John T. Hopf 

St. Mary's Gothic Church was built by men who were buiding the fortifications at Fort Adams. A young lieutenant enginner (later became General Rosencrans) supervised both the Fort construction and the erection of the church.

Work on the church started August 7, 1848. It went slowly as the men had two jobs to complete. It was finally opened on July 25, 1852 and dedicated by Bishop O'Rilley under the poetic title of Holly Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle.

The detailed stained glass windows were made in Vienna. 

Golden Gate Bridge - USA

These Golden Gate Bridge cards were both in my favorites wall. Great shots!!

 

Photo by Ken Glaser Jr.

The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. As part of both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1, the structure links the city of San Francisco on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula to Marin County. The Golden Gate Bridge was the longest suspension bridge span in the world when it was completed in 1937, and has become one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco, California, and of the United States.

 

Despite its span length being surpassed by eight other bridges since its completion, it still has the second longest suspension bridge main span in the United States, after the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in New York City. It has been declared one of the modern Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The Frommers travel guide considers the Golden Gate Bridge "possibly the most beautiful, certainly the most photographed, bridge in the world". - in: wikipedia

US-6969657

Yay, a new Happy Postcrossing from... card!! I'm still missing many, many countries.

www,papersisters.de

US-6969657, sent by Liz.

A flag full of stars, representing the states; iconic symbols and monuments, such as Statue of Liberty, Golden Gate Bridge, Route 66; wildlife in the majestic National Parks across the great country; country music; hamburgers; trucks and american football. USA are all of this and much more. 

Virtual Meetings in Brazil

 These days when so many things are done at a distance or virtually, postcrossing meetings have also adapted to this reality and have started to take place in the zoom chat rooms. The postcrosser friends from Brazil have already done a few and I participated in 2 or 3. Like in the so-called normal meetings, the conversation lasts for hours and many subjects are discussed.   

Meeting may be vitual but postcards are still real. These two were designed and sent by Valéria.

Photo by Canva * Design by Valéria Formigoni 

In July Postcrossing turned 15 and some meetings were held, some of which were virtual. This was, if I'm not mistaken, my first virtual meeting. In addition to the Brazilian postcrossers, some portuguese also participated. 

Take a look at the lovely postcrossing stamp. 

Brasil 2020 - Design by Valéria Formigoni *Photos by Adobe Stock and Canva / Postcrossing is a registered trade mark

This Halloween meeting, took place in October, I think that I also participated in this one, but the postcard only arrived this week. 

Well done Valéria, these postcards are fantastic.

Porto Novo - Cape Verde

One last card from Africa, also from a Portuguese speaking country, Cape Verde. 

 

  © José Pereira

Porto Novo, is a city situated on the southeastern coast of Santo Antão island. At the 2010 census, the town had 9,310 inhabitants, which makes it the most populous settlement of the island.

Luanda - Angola

Angola is also an hard to get country but I'm lucky to have a few cards from there. In Paulo's envelopes I've found five or 6 new cards. These two are from Luanda, Angola's capital city.

Fotografia: Francisco Bernardo

The Palace of the National Assembly of Angola is a complex consisting of three buildings and two parking lots. It was built by the Angolan government from 2010 to 2015 to function as the new seat of the country's legislative power.

 

Fotografia de arquivo INFOTUR

The Iron Palace is a historical building in Luanda, believed to have been designed and built by – or by someone associated with – Gustave Eiffel.

The history of the structure is shrouded in mystery since no official record of it exists. It is believed to have been pre-built in the 1890s in France and was destined to be placed in Madagascar via boat. Instead, the building ended-up in Angola's Skeleton Coast after the ship carrying it was drifted by the notorious Benguela currents. Portuguese rulers of the colony then claimed the ship along with all its contents, including the palace.

During the Portuguese era, the building had a great deal of prestige and it was used as an art center. But after the independence of Angola, the palace was left in neglect with its surrounding area eventually ending up as a parking lot. It was also heavily damaged during the Angolan Civil War leaving some of its structures in a rusted and rotting condition. - in: wikipedia

However the building was revamped and repaired in the 2010s with the help of a diamond company as well as municipal funds.