I love TE for all of the reasons mentioned above.
And I'm very proud to say I have a friend in Perth, a Friend in England, a couple if canada, and one from just about every state in the union!!

Tho explaining that some of them are "internet buddies" and that I haven't met them in person can be a bit hard...
The lady at the post office thinks I have friends from all over the world after I sent out my Christmas cards this year.