Mail between countries

I just received a package from the UK. It is stamped with the symbol of the Royal Mail, which makes me wonder what the employees of of our own Post Office thought when they saw it. It also brings to mind the time I mailed a donation to a man in Christchurch, New Zealand. I had to take the letter to the Post Office, and hand it to a Postal Worker, who proceded to mark it 'Par Avion' which I guess is French for 'Air Mail'. I also paid 90 cents for the privilege, at a time when 1st class stamps were 23 cents. Global post. It makes you think.