Capital preservation was a popular investment defense in 1970s. The gold price was moving up and inflation was on horizon. Two West Germans approached me in South America with a proposal that I supply them with preserved and mounted jungle insects. The proposal was simple and profitable. I returned to Amazon, hired a few local Indians and proceeded to collect, preserve, package and ship assorted insects. The business went well for about nine months. The prices I was being paid steadily rose to dizzying heights. Then, local military commandant declared exports illegal. He argued that business was having a serious impact upon local jungle environment. I replied that DDT, still being sprayed in local towns, was doing far more environmental damage. I lost argument and went out of insect business.

I flew to Bonn to collect my last check. For nine months, I'd been wondering what West Germans were doing with all those insects. When we met over dinner, I asked them about their insect business. They were selling insects as "investment grade" insects to hard currency German investors. Apparently, insect prices had held strong against Deutsch Mark inflation. I wonder how many Germans still hold insects along with their gold for next period of high inflation.

Next to precious metals, gemstones were a favorite investment of hard currency crowd in 1970s. I'd buy small amounts of good quality gem rough in Columbia, Venezuela and occasionally in West Africa. I'd sell it in New York and Amsterdam. As miners came to realize that gem prices were radically moving upward, their prices to me adjusted accordingly. Within about three years, I couldn't make a profit in gem trade.

The one item that has consistently been profitable has been buying junk overseas and selling antiques wholesale in California. Many countries outlaw export of anything made before 1958. My advice is confirm what antique exports are legal and avoid countries that make antique exports illegal. The buy junk sell antiques can be a consistently profitable business for any adventure traveler.

Anyone can see world and make a good living doing so. If you need help finding buyers for your high value exports, contact me at: beowulftrading@earthlink.net or visit Beowulf Trading website: http://home.earthlink.net/~beowulfinvestments/beowulftrading/ From experience, I have a variety of tactics that can keep you on your Royal Road to Adventure.