Postcards to Myself

In 50 years of travelling Colin McCorquodale has visited every country in the world，except① three.And everywhere he goes，he sends himself a postcard②.He always chooses a postcard with③ a beautiful view④，and sticks on⑤ an interesting stamp.Usually he writes just a short message to himself.His latest⑥ one，from the Malvinas islands，reads⑦ Good fishing.

On a wall in his home⑧ in London there is a large map of the world.There are hundreds of little red pins⑨ stuck⑩ in it."It's good to get a pin in the map，"says Mr McCorquodale，"but I follow the rules⑪.I'm allowed to⑫ stick one in only if⑬ I've been in a place for more than 24 hours."

Naturally⑭，Mr McCorquodale has his favourite places.New Zealand he describes as⑮"wonderful".In Europe，Italy is a favourite⑯ place."There's a saying⑰ in the travel trade that all tourists are ripped off.Well，at least the Italians rip you off⑱ with a smile."Of China he says，"This is one country in the world which is completely different.There's no European influence⑲.It's been around for 6，000 years，yet it's a country of the future."

Wherever he goes，Mr McCorquodale takes with⑳ him a photo of his wife，a candle，a torch\s\up7(21(21)，a shirt with a secret pocket，and a pen for writing his postcards.

So why does he do it？For the postcards or the travel？Mr McCorquodale laughs."I do it for the journey，"he says."I get a kick out of\s\up7(22(22) travelling.And all the planning."

阅读清障

①except prep.除......之外

②send sb sth寄给某人某物

③with prep.带有

④view n.景色，风景

⑤stick on贴上，把......粘贴上

stick to坚持

⑥latest adj.最近的，最新的

⑦read在此处作动词，意为"写着"。