[This message has been edited by Matt]
Howdy y'all.
May I please have some input?
I would like to send some self-addressed stamped envelopes to a Filipina penpal.
Should I just put 10 of them in a large manila envelope and send it?
In the past, the envelopes got too hot in transit and stuck together.
Should I put wax paper in between the flaps of the envelopes?
When I send stamps, I wrap them up in wax paper and send them.
Also, when I send letters to the PI I always have the postal clerk print out the postage label, instead of putting on stamps. I always worry about my mail being "lost".
I have heard of some people using 2 envelopes to mail letters to the PI-a number 10 and a number 9 envelope. The letter is placed in a number 9 envelope and sealed and that envelope is placed in a number 10 envelope.
Would the following information from the book, "How to be invisible" by J.J. Luna, regard sending mail to Mexico be useful for the Philippines also?
http://www.howtobeinvisible.com/
from the book, pages 220-221:
--------
What is the best way to send mail to Mexico?
Mail service south of the border is a diaster. Mailmen are underpaid, under-supervised, and some can just barely read. If a letter does not "look important", they may do one of two things: throw it away immediately or set it aside to deliver "manana". In Spain, the word manana usually means "tomorrow". In Mexico, however, it merely indicates "not today". Tomorrow may never come. There is no best way to send mail there but here is the least worst way. I learned this from a mailman in Ameca, Jalico and I have tested it many times. The letter must look important. If you plan to receive mail in Mexico, give the following suggestions to the sender in the U.S.
1. Use a business-size (#10) envelope. Smaller ones seem to get lost, and larger envelopes do not fit well into the mail pouch.
2. Type the address, or print it on a laser printer in large, easy-to -read letters.
3. Put a return address on the reverse side of the envelope. Make it look important, such as putting "Dr." in front of your name, or pehaps a religious title. Obisop (bishop) is even better.
4. Put small denomination postage stamps across the entire top of the envelope, to make the envelope look impressive.
5. Use some sort of rubber stamp near the left border, to give the impression that this is a registered or certified letter.
-------
Well, I don't know about using the pretty stamps to make the letter look impressive. I thought that Filipino mail workers might steal the letter if it had lots of pretty stamps, thinking that money was in it.
As for as using "Dr" or some religious title, perhaps the Filipina penpals would misunderstand it, and then think the sender is some kind of liar and not a "simple" man.
As for a typewriter, in this college town of Athens, Georgia, there is no public typewriter that I know of, available for use. The one at Kinko's was supposedly stolen by a customer, who just walked out with it. (I don't believe that!). And the typewriter at the public library is brand new, but already broken and thus out of order. (My rant for today is the lack of typewriters available, yet many forms require the use of a typewriter.)
Okay, maybe besides asking some questions, my post might help someone. At any rate, I got to practice my typing skills.
Y'all take care.