If courier rates weren't so high...

Last September, I mailed a small package to a friend in the Philippines. Total value was under $15: a plushie that fit in a small bubble mailer (5x8? 6x10? Smaller than a sheet of 8 1/2x11 paper, anyway) a couple of sticker sheets and a bookmark. Since the cheapest mailing option that would get me a tracking number was $75.00—which neither of us could afford, and since she wasn't in a hurry, I sent it regular mail. They quoted me 4–6 weeks delivery. Fine. Well, she got it yesterday. Nearly a month later than anticipated.

I'm glad. The plushie was handcrafted and something she'd bought online from a Toronto-based hobbyist (which is why she asked if she could have it sent to me in the first place: the seller would have shipped the merchandise courier at my friend's expense, and she really didn't have that kind of money to spend on a $7.50 doll.) The other stuff was convention swag I got at Fan Expo in August. In other words, NOT easily replaceable. Wish I knew where the package has been all this time. I don't think the recent typhoon was much of a factor, given when it was mailed. (And my friend's mailing address was in La Union, outside the devastation zone.)

I'd like to say that this is a lesson well-learned and from now on, I'll only courier. The truth is, I still can't afford the cost, neither can she, and if I ever need to send her anything in future, I'll likely still send it regular mail and hope for the best.