Russian Post Offices present a challenge for the foreigner like almost no other place here.

The first challenge is to find one. Unlike most other countries’ postal services, the “Pochta” logo is only easily spotted on the post boxes, which are usually located on the walls of buildings. Some maps give the locations of the offices, but in general it’s better to ask someone.

Tourist postcards have yet to make the en masse arrival in Russia that they have in even the most backward tourist spots in the West (you know the ones, “Hello from sunny Tierra del Fuego”), but if you do manage to find and purchase some, the fun is only just beginning.

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