Stock Market Nomad

A backpacker movie?

stock_market_nomad — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 20:10:00 GMT

A Map For Saturday

I just got my DVD in the mail yesterday, so this morning (a Saturday, no less) I popped it into my DVD player and gave it a spin.

Inspiring! This movie definitely captures some of the essence that makes backpacker travel so alluring. Great motivation for aspiring long-term travelers like me, and for those who've already taken the trip, this movie would probably bring back good memories.

Keep in mind that I'm not touting the movie - I genuinely like it, and think that others might, too. Enjoy!

Gallery: Navy Nomad pics

stock_market_nomad — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 21:16:00 GMT

workingnomad

stock_market_nomad — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 20:59:00 GMT

I came across the website workingnomad.com while browsing the web, taking a detour from reading articles about China.

It turns out the author of this site has managed to free himself to travel the world as he works, creating a steady income by writing and managing ad-based websites. Good inspiration!

Stock Market Nomad - an idea is born!

stock_market_nomad — Sun, 5 Aug 2007 13:07:00 GMT

So who is "Stock Market Nomad?"

My name is Ali Booth, and I came up with the idea of "Stock Market Nomad" after some recent experience trading stocks online. I've always wanted to travel the world, but such a trip seemed financially out of reach...

After trading stocks online for some time, I realized that, with some good timing and careful stock selection, one can often make a trade that results in a 3 to 5 percent gain over the course of a few days. Now, let's say that one had invested $20,000. 3 to 5 percent of that would be $600 to $1000. Then the idea hit me - in many parts of the world, that's enough money to last at least a few weeks as a backpacker! I could literally finance a backpacking trip by trading stocks online from Internet cafes along the way.

The actual stock trading wouldn't take very long either - a few hours to select stocks to keep an eye on, and if the timing is right, another couple of hours to set up trades with an online broker. After that, I could travel around, see the sights, and check daily email updates to see how I did. If things go well, I might already have the cash to finance a future part of the journey!

So that's the idea. There's still a lot between now and then that I need to do to make it a reality! Until then, I'll keep you posted as I plan my trip, study up on stock trading techniques, and tell you about some of the places I've already been during my adventures with the US Navy.

Sydney

stock_market_nomad — Thu, 5 Jul 2007 19:33:00 GMT

Bridge Climb

When you're in the Navy, visiting foreign ports is a "working vacation." Just because you're not at sea doesn't mean that the job is done! The day we arrived we pulled into port late, so I really didn't go out at all. Besides, I really wanted to save my energy for the next day - I had a bridge to climb!

The Bridge Climb is:

One of the most famous "things to do" in all of Australia
A bit expensive
Worth every penny. It was fantastic!

Especially if you're only going to be in Sydney for a limited time, do it. In fact, do it first before anything else in Sydney. The Bridge Climb is awesome, and the view is unbelievably gorgeous. What better way to start your trip than with something extraordinary?

Yes, the Bridge Climb is more expensive than a pint at the bar, but you only live once, people! If you read up on the 'Net about the Bridge Climb, you'll see a lot of reviews. The few negative ones, you'll find, are from people who never even did it - kind of like how the people who don't like to travel are the ones who never leave home. Do the Bridge Climb. Live life to the fullest!

Brisbane

stock_market_nomad — Tue, 5 Jun 2007 12:40:00 GMT

A really nice city - a great place to live once I settle down?

Brisbane would be a great city for an active person who wants to settle down, and wants to enjoy the outdoors in a warmer climate. For hiking and camping, you can visit the nearby mountains or barrier islands, not to mention the Gold Coast beaches. There's are plenty of restaurants and nightlife, and even a beach and rock climbing cliffs in the middle of downtown Brisbane! You really wouldn't have to travel far to live a good lifestyle here.

Busan, South Korea

stock_market_nomad — Thu, 5 Apr 2007 12:28:00 GMT

The city of Busan is a bustling port city on the southeastern tip of the Korean peninsula. Overall, I liked Busan a lot - there were lots of good restaurants (I love Korean food), convenient and modern public transport, and you could get a WiFi Internet connection ANYWHERE in the city! Amazing!

Zhanjiang

stock_market_nomad — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 08:49:00 GMT

Ever seen Kung Fu Hustle? How some people seemed to have it all, yet some were struggling just to make it? That's Zhanjiang today. China is such a bustling, dynamic place!

It's really exciting from a business point of view, but troubling in a way, since many people are being left behind, and the environmental costs of progress are staggering. But it was this way when the US was coming of age as an industrial nation. Why should anyone else be held to a different standard?

Japanese vacation - day two

stock_market_nomad — Fri, 7 Jul 2006 14:05:00 GMT

After making my way back to Oak Hotel to check-in (a very nice hostel, might I add), I have to come back at 1500 for the current occupants to check out. I can drop off my luggage, though, so I grab my Tokyo map and a Japanese phrasebook, and decide to set off for Kanda, Tokyo's bookstore district.

It is only a few stops from Ueno (the local neighborhood) on the Metro, so I figure it would be a good way to pass the time. Besides, when my mom gets here, I wouldn't want to spend precious time with her on books, and she would only tell me not to spend money on books anyway.

Kanda is cool - a very college-town feel, which makes sense, since Nihon University is close by. This area appeals to my inner nerd :-) The only problem is, I need to learn more Japanese! I love bookstores, but about the only place I can even begin to look is the English-language section. Being in Japan has helped me empathize with people who can't read. I mean, you can get through life, but it is a completely different existence - everything is a guessing game.

I did stumble across a great store that sells ukiyo-e prints, and I can see already collecting them becoming my hobby once I make it big in business. My house will be like a little slice of Japan in Miami :-)

I end up buying a couple of books. One is an introductory language text called Minna de Nihongo - the lessons are about as good as JBP, but the explanations on life's little things in this book are priceless. I wish I had this book a while ago! Examples include:
- how to use a Japanese-style toilet
- how to use and read a Japanese ATM
- how to properly write a Japanese mailing address
In other words, while other books may look nicer, this series is the best that I've found for someone who will actually live in Japan. The cultural notes alone are reason enough to buy this book.

Japanese vacation - day one

stock_market_nomad — Tue, 6 Jun 2006 23:50:00 GMT

All my life, I've wanted to travel to Japan. In fact, that was one of my big motivators for joining the Navy - there are few jobs outside the military that can get you here to live for an extended period of time. Of course, Navy life usually lets you sample only bits of Japan, so I was really looking forward to taking an extended Japanese vacation.

Day One

I decided to leave Sasebo for Tokyo a day earlier so that I could take care of any lodging issues, etc with plenty of lead time. So around 1:00pm, I headed for the train station, to begin the vacation I had waited a lifetime for.

The Shinkansen
Sasebo is not on a Shinkansen line, so to take the Shinkansen I would have to travel to Fukuoka first, and change trains. I arrived at 1600, and my train didn't leave until 1628, so I had enough time to buy a bento box and some Aquarius.

Since l didn't have a reserved seat, I was a bit nervous. What if there was a mad scramble for the non-reserved seats? Where was the right seating section? Getting it wrong was going to cost me another 7700 yen. Ouch! It turns out they had announcements in English. Phew! I've been working on my Japanese, but still that was a relief.

Shinkansen notes so far:
- the ride is comfortable: almost no shaking or noise
- if you are getting on the Shinkansen a a terminus, there isn't much sense in getting a reserved seat. This is the first stop! You're almost guaranteed a place to sit.
- the train really moves fast! You can hear the train whoosh past entire towns like a low-flying plane.
- there are a lot of tunnels. How else do you build a straight track in a country with so many mountains?

1730
The train is already in Hiroshima. One hour from Fukuoka! Who knew it was this close? This train ride totally changes my perspective on distances in Japan.

2130
The train arrives in Tokyo, and I'm ready for another action-packed adventure. As Tokyo Tower looms large through the concrete canyons besides the train tracks, memories of my previous Tokyo adventures from last year come rushing back. Guess who's back, back again? Ali's back, tell a friend...

2200
Took me a while to find the hostel after getting off the train at Ueno station. Worse yet, because I'm here a day early, they're full. About the only affordable hotel nearby is a hole-in-the-wall place. I managed just enough Japanese to get a room, and for $40 a night, it was rather basic Tokyo accomodations - a small, smoky room with a low ceiling, but it did have a tamami floor and traditional Japanese futon. For the night, it got the job done.

Bangkok

stock_market_nomad — Fri, 26 May 2006 16:34:00 GMT

A bustling tropical city in the Land Of Smiles

Hong Kong

stock_market_nomad — Sun, 20 Nov 2005 12:38:00 GMT

The closest thing to New York in China

Japanese art comes to life

stock_market_nomad — Sun, 9 Oct 2005 02:13:00 GMT

Ukiyo-e woodblock prints are some of the most well-known examples of Japanese art in the West. Mostly made during the Edo period of Japan, two of the heavyweights in this artistic arena are:

Hokusai
"Thirty-six Views of Mt Fuji"
The most famous of these is "The Great Wave off the Coast of Kanagawa"

Hiroshige
"Fifty-two Stages of the Tokaido Road"

These masterpieces of Japanese art, along with many others, were on display at the Fukuoka City Museum. What's funny, though, is how I found out about it. On one visit to the train station, I happened upon a train magazine. Mind you, I can't read much Japanese, but I saw a picture of "The Great Wave," and what appeared to be exhibition times. Immediately, I said to myself, "I've got to go!"

I can still recall the first time I saw "The Great Wave" - it was in a book at a thrift shop when I was maybe 6 or 7 years old. I remember thinking how intricate and detailed it was, and how it appealed to me. It helped to fuel my fascination with Japan, which has enabled me to see so much.

Finally getting the chance to see it for real felt like I had finally accomplished a lifelong dream. Not only had I managed to make it to Japan, but I had actually seen something truly special.

Tokyo!

stock_market_nomad — Sun, 7 Aug 2005 20:51:00 GMT

After reading about it, watching it on TV, and otherwise learning about this futuristic city from afar, I would finally get to see it with my own eyes. There I was, leaving Yokosuka and its naval base on the train bound for Tokyo. Familiar names along the way, Yokohama and Kawasaki, turned into actual places as I looked out the window.

First stop: Tokyo Tower

If you've ever seen a single episode of Sailor Moon or about a hundred different anime, you'll probably recognize Tokyo Tower. Though it's not as famous as its older cousin, the Eiffel Tower, Tokyo Tower is taller, and undeniably colorful. From the observation platform, you can get a great 360 degree view of central Tokyo. Check it out!

Fast-food pride

While grabbing some lunch at Tokyo Tower, I read something unusual on the back of a Pizza-La Express plastic cup:
"The rich taste of Pizza-La Express is the result of our Kitchen staff's culinary skills and creativity. We put our hard work into each piece of pizza and dishes we serve."

You usually don't hear that at a fast-food place in the States! And it isn't just talk. Their pizza is good, too. For example, I tried a slice of their "Ebi-Mayo" pizza. While I had some initial doubts about fried shrimp and mayonnaise on pizza, I am always up for trying new things. As it turns out, creativity tastes delicious!

Near the foot of Tokyo Tower lies the burial grounds of the Tokugawa family. The Tokugawa shogunate ruled Japan from the late 1400's until the Meiji restoration, shortly after the arrival of the Americans in Yokosuka. The Warring States period and Tokugawa periods of Japan are best known for the samurai, who came to prominence during this time.

Ginza

Imagine New York City's 57th St times 10, and that's the Ginza in Tokyo. There must be a lot of money floating around. Every luxury brand imaginable has a store here. Most of the streets were closed off to allow shoppers to walk freely. And so I did. Straight down the middle of the street. :-)

Akihabara

The Mecca of electronics. For example, I needed a male-male mic-headphone cable to plug my voice recorder to my PC. I found it in one minute upon arriving at Akihabara. It is a sea of electronics. It takes a lot of willpower not to buy everything! I did, however, succumb to buying a copy of Street Fighter 3 Third Strike for my Japanese PS2 (I left my American copy back home). Old habits die hard!

passed QE2

stock_market_nomad — Thu, 17 Mar 2005 13:10:00 GMT

While transiting the Straits of Mallaca, our ship passed the Queen Elizabeth 2, the grande dame of cruise ships on one of her round-the-world voyages. It was really impressive to see her up close, though the sight was obscured a bit by all the haze from the forest fires on shore.

It's really tragic the way that forest fires and clear-cutting are used to clear the rain forest for timber or agriculture. It's literally cutting the lungs out of the planet!

Eritrea - my first visit to Africa

stock_market_nomad — Thu, 17 Feb 2005 14:21:00 GMT

Africa! Setting foot on African soil is like a homecoming. In a certain sense, we are all African.

Our visit to Eritrea came as a surprise to me and the rest of the Juneau crew. It wasn't originally planned for us to come here, but surprises are a way of life in the Navy, and this was certainly one of them. Our ship was here to host a diplomatic reception, so the first day there I did get off the ship, but only to the security checkpoint onshore. On the second day, though, I did get to venture out in town.

Eritrea - hope rises from the ashes of war

Mitsiwa is Eritrea's main port. Given its strategic importance near the southern end of the Red Sea, it had seen some battles during Eritrea's long war for independence from Ethiopia, as evidenced by the bullet holes and craters on many of the buildings near the port entrance. I didn't feel the urge to take many outdoor pictures.

The town itself, though small, is clean and lends itself well to walking. There are almost no cars or bicycles to contend with, so you can walk around at a leisurely pace.

The people are very friendly, and one guy, Yemani, became our tour guide of sorts for the afternoon. He spoke fluent English and had lived in the States in Rochester, NY, prior to returning to Eritrea. Who would have thought! With his help as an interpreter, I ate at a local restaurant, made some friends, and even bought Eritrean music and some blank CDs.

ln the long run, I think that the Eritreans' lot will improve, for one basic reason. In Yemani's words, "Eritrea needs more entrepreneurs." When's the last time you heard ANYONE say that? For a developing country that has a lot of developing to do, that's certainly the right attitude. Entrepreneurs are the engine of any economy. While others bemoan the lack of jobs, and other similar gripes, entrepreneurs see what is possible and CREATE a job, not just for themselves, but for others as well.

Note that even though we as US sailors were clearly richer than the locals, Yemani wasn't asking for handouts. He used his skills to make some cash. If his attitude is common among Eritreans, this country will go far.

The Eritrean government is doing some of the right things, apparently, by building roads and developing relationships with the US and France. Both countries have made port visits recently, and our visit was mainly a diplomatic one. With a large natural bay, I could see why both countries would be interested in this port's potential.

Dubai: city under construction

stock_market_nomad — Thu, 6 Jan 2005 17:46:00 GMT

Dubai is one of the most amazing cities I have ever visited, a statement in steel of boldness, ambition, and wealth. And Dubai is only getting bigger! Sheikh Zayed Road looks like New York City, lined on both sides with skyscrapers. Construction cranes are everywhere building new high-rises, while dredges offshore build artificial islands for ultra-luxurious resorts and personal getaways.

Like I mentioned, however, the city is still under construction. You may see a skyscraper in one area, followed by an aluminum plant, then another cluster of buildings further away, and desert in between.

So far, Dubai also seems to have the best highways in the Gulf. It figures that Dubai would have good infrastructure, since they have Jebel Ali, the biggest shipping port in the Gulf and one of the busiest in the world. There is a bit of congestion, though, near the city center - it looks like they'll have to start building some more highways pretty soon!

Among other things, Russian tourism in Dubai is a thriving business, apparently. I had read about Russians increasingly visiting Dubai as a vacation spot, and I did see a lot of vacationing Russians here. They dressed like new money; stylish clothes, overdressed for the occasion. Russian girls are hot, though, so I may have to pay Russia a visit someday.

Some of those new-money Russians I met on a Desert Sunset Safari tour. The tour was great! It started off with off-roading and extreme driving across mountainous sand dunes, followed by camel rides, and a recreation of a Bedouin camp. At the camp, they served a buffet-style dinner of Arabian dishes (my favorite is tabouleh), you could try a sheesha pipe (looks like a giant bong with flavored tobacco - I like "green apple" flavor), and of course, a belly dancer!

Cultural Crossroads

Also at the Sunset Safari, I saw a woman in an abaya sandsurfing. Dressed head to toe in black, you could only see her eyes and the board sticking out from underneath. Out of respect, I didn't take a picture, but I couldn't think of a better image to capture Arabia at a cultural crossroads.

It turns out she and her husband were having fun together. As a young couple, they were enjoying themselves immensely, yet she still felt obliged to dress traditionally. For Dubai being a very Westernized Arabian city, I was surprised. Granted, not every Arabian woman was dressed so conservatively, but then again, none of them were riding a snowboard down a sand dune.

I think a lot of problems in this part of the world stem from culture shock between Western and Islamic beliefs. Powerful people want to cling to control, and allowing cultural choice might loosen their grip on power. Confronted with cultural competition, it seems that some Islamic countries have reacted as any monopolist would, trying to regulate competition out of existence by making cultural alternatives illegal, expensive, or inconvenient.

Even in a relatively liberal city like Dubai, defined by luxury, women can buy every conceivable luxury clothing brand you've ever heard of - and some you haven't heard of - and then cannot show their fashions to anyone. They can wear whatever they want, so long as it's in their own home or under a head-to-toe veil, where no one will see it.

Perhaps another young girl I saw will have a better chance of living in a more open society. She wasn't shy about asking for help with her broken snowboard, she just asked. Since the bootstrap on her board was broken, I gave her mine instead. I hope her independent spirit lasts a lifetime.

Perfect business for Jebel Ali: truck stop!

Of course, I'm always on the lookout for potential business opportunities as we travel around. So, seeing the seemingly endless amount of trucks coming in and out of Jebel Ali port, I asked if there was a truck stop nearby. This elicited a blank look from the taxi driver, toll booth operator, and anyone else I asked, even after describing what a truck stop might have (a truck wash, restaurant, and gas station, for example). Apparently, for all the trucks, there is no truck stop to serve them.

Why not build a truck stop near the port's entry control point where they can gas up, eat, and relax? The truck stop could also double as a restaurant / entertainment center for the port workers, especially if you ran a shuttle bus to pick people up from spots around the port to bring them to the restaurant. Add-on businesses could include therapeutic massage, a capsule hotel, and massage armchairs, to name a few.

Of course, not everyone in Dubai thought this was a good idea. For example, the husbanding agent in Dubai, who arranges services between the local economy and our ship, explained that most of the truck drivers are poorly-paid immigrants from South Asia, who likely wouldn't have the money for something like that (too American a concept, apparently). My thought would be, though, how much money would it take to buy a cold shower for the desert heat, or a cup of coffee? Even if these guys don't make a lot of money, they still eat! Someone out there could be making money... may as well be me someday!

Muscat, Oman

stock_market_nomad — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 10:31:00 GMT

Our ship visited Muscat, since we had to pull in for repairs.

My general impression was that it was not a very welcoming city. In general, it seemed, the locals were not very friendly, though it could just be that they were unaccustomed to seeing foreigners, especially ragtag Navy sailors! Good highways here - the area around the city is very spread out, so the fast highways were welcome. The city, though, had little in the way of character that made Bahrain and Dubai such enjoyable places. If you're looking for frankinscense, though, you came to the right place - that's probably Oman's biggest claim to fame. There are no shortages of expensive frankinscense fragrances to buy.

"Sultan Qaboos"

The Sultan's name was everywhere. As the ruler of Oman, he has slapped his name on the main port (Mina Sultan Qaboos), the main highway (his picture hangs from a lightpost every few hundred meters), and the main university. It was surprising to hear that he hasn't had lots of kids to extend the dynasty. As of now, he is in his 60's and has no children, so there may be a power struggle once this guy is gone unless he has relatives waiting backstage to assume the throne.

Seychelles - A Tranquil Paradise

stock_market_nomad — Mon, 8 Nov 2004 23:00:00 GMT

The Seychelles are an island group in the Indian Ocean 1000 miles east of Kenya. Maje island is the biggest, and is the island that I visited on this trip. The Seychelles are truly an island paradise! Here, it's all about the layback island life.

The Seychelles is a great place for couples, but not necessarily for singles. Don't expect to find much of a party scene here. As for me, I was having a great time, just going to the beach, and eating the local food everyday. The beach is AWESOME! If there isn't much to do, it's because you really don't NEED anything else to do if you're at the beach here. Just chill and relax. That's what the Seychelles is all about.

While there is little to do on the islands besides going to the beach and scuba diving, there are 3 nightclubs on the main island of Mahé: Katiolo, 369, and The Barrel (high-class, mid-class, ghetto style). Might I add that the Seychelles is blessed with a surplus of beautiful women :-) Creole, European, South Asian, and African heritage looks very nice indeed. However, you can't approach them on the street, even to ask for directions! Local laws might perceive your innocent request as a solicitation for prostitution. Save your "rico suave" moves for the hotel bar or a club.

Besides the above paranoia, the Seychelles does have one major problem, which I can sum up in a single sentence: "I give you dollars, you give me Monopoly money."

The foreign exchange system here is rigged to keep hard currency in the country. Foreigners, by law, must pay for most items in hard currency ($, €), only to receive Seychelles rupees as change, which almost no one (either on the island, or anywhere else in the world) wants to exchange. That one fact alone, in my opinion, explains the apparent lack of foreign investment. If I can't take my money out after I bring it in, why would I invest here?

What the Seychelles ought to do is adopt either the dollar or euro as the official currency. This would eliminate the need to hoard hard currency, since the Seychellois would already have one. Allowing free movement of money would then create the right conditions for foreign investment. They could even take a page from Bermuda and set up offshore banking.

That would also mean giving up the ability to print worthless Monopoly money, which is probably why the Seychelles government will never do it. C'mon, everybody loves bad investments! Here, let me give you some more Monopoly money.

From a culinary perspective, the food is great, so long as you're not hungry upon arrival to Seychelles. There aren't many restaurants in Victoria, the main town (also Seychelle's capital). The only big restaurant in Victoria, Pirates Arms, is overpriced, and nothing special. When I asked a taxi driver what restaurants do locals go to, he replied "we cook our own food!" I did end up finding some more restaurants around town, and near the hotels in Beau Vallon, the main beach on the other side of Mahe island. The hotels have their own restaurants, too, which may help explain the shortage of restaurants out in town.

While I did spot a few takeaway places that cater to locals, it appears that restaurant dining is too expensive for locals. Heck, it's expensive for tourists! I paid $20 US at Boat House Restaurant for a great Creole buffet, but that's about the same price you'd expect to pay in the States. That might explain why the taxi driver reacted in a defensive way.

By the way, the above-mentioned Boat House restaurant was DELICIOUS! I went back 3 nights in a row just to get my fill of spicy goodness before I had to go back to food on the ship! If I could live near Beau Vallon beach, scuba dive and swim all day, and eat at the Boat House buffet, I think that would be it for me. Besides, Monopoly money isn't so bad if you never want to leave! The Seychelles is so beautiful, you might as well stay.

Somalia from afar

stock_market_nomad — Fri, 22 Oct 2004 11:38:00 GMT

For much of October and early November 2004, our ship floated off the coast of Somalia. While we never set foot in Somalia, we could see the city of Mogadishu in the distance through the clear desert air. In fact, I was off the coast of Mogadishu during my birthday. Probably the last place I would have thought I'd be!

What's remarkable, though probably in a bad way, is that there are no boats on the water here. No fishing boats, no merchant vessels, nothing. Even the Iraqis had boats, so the Somalis must really have it rough. Reading online at the BBC, apparently the local warlords fight bitter battles over control of the port, so even though it is usable, no one wants to go there.

Apparently, though, the lack of commercial fishing has done wonders for the wildlife here. Everyday, I spot schools of fish, dolphins, and sea turtles alongside the ship. So at least for the environment, it's a good thing.

The air is also exceptionally clean. Cloudless and clear, it looks like a whole new sky, especially at night when the stars are out. Watching a meteor shower under these cloudless skies one night, I saw over 60 meteors streak across the sky before I lost count. It was amazing! An unforgettable experience.