Saleh Stevens

Saleh Stevens is a cryptocurrency expert that currently works as an online writer. After completing numerous blogs that relate to the topic of blockchain technology, he has built a noticeable fan base consisting of people who read his articles for education purposes. Besides the latest trends that are surrounding things like Bitcoin or Etherium, Saleh Stevens is also well versed in the area of Javascript and web development for business startups. Such versatility has helped him create a large portfolio of investments that have yielded an amazing return. Nowadays, he is one of the fiercest proponents of the bold innovation that has taken over the IT sector.

 

I enjoy learning about people and their cultures. I visited a few European countries where traditions are a lot different than anything that you may have been exposed to in the United States. For example, did you know that families throughout Europe have no unwritten rules that tell children to leave home at the age of 18 and pursue a college education? Still, most young adults are very familiar with the principles of business and even things like cryptocurrency! It is almost counterintuitive that someone without any higher education in Europe could talk with me about blockchain technology as if it was a simplistic idea.

 

It is a hobby. I started traveling when I was in my twenties. Back then, people were curious to experience and seize the world. Business trips were not as common as the whole concept of globalization, and international partnerships did not come around until later. Now, you can hardly find a passenger on a plane who is going somewhere for the pure joy and spontaneity of such an endeavor.

 

As of right now, I do not. The key concept of my travels is to make them unexpected. When I went overseas last year, my entire trip was planned in one day after seeing an in advertisement online. Although many will disagree, I think that extensive planning ruins the concept of trips for leisure.

 

Do not bring your phone, computer, tablet, or anything more modern than a pencil. I still remember a few trips of mine that were completely ruined by the countless calls and e-mails I had to respond to. Don’t get me wrong, being unavailable to all your friends, business associates, and family is not the answer. However, you should make it known that you have a very limited access to technology and that you have no intention of working while enjoying your travel.

 

Believe it or not, some of the places on my bucket list are right here in the United States. I have yet to go to certain parts of California. Although I visited many cities where cryptocurrency was booming, I never went to Oakland, San Diego, or even Sacramento. Also, I think it is just a matter of time before I decide to take an entire month and go all over the beautiful state of Texas. It wasn’t until recently that I realized how enormous the Lone Star state truly was. Having already been to Dallas and Houston, I cannot wait to tour other places on such a huge yet welcoming territory. As far as international trips, I have been learning Italian recently so that I can visit Rome one day.

 

Going to France again would certainly be nice. In my case, although it does contradict the whole idea of being spontaneous a little, seeing the Eiffel Tower could probably never get old. I mean, have you ever taken a picture from the height of a 1,000 feet? Trust me, it is amazing.

 

I do. I guess I have still not found the perfect travel buddy. In the past, most of the trips that involved additional people had issues that were not anticipated. When I go by myself, on the other hand, everything tends to go exactly like I want it to. Maybe my expectations are just not as high as those of people I used to travel with.

 

New York City, Paris, and London. These three parallel each other perfectly. Also, they are some of the most visited places around the globe for a reason. They all have so many different attractions that it is virtually impossible to list them all.

 

I travel very light. In fact, you will probably never see me check luggage at the airport. Most of my things can fit in a decent-sized bag that I can carry on the plane. Given that I avoid packing a ton of gadgets, the contents of my bag are usually broken down into clothes and personal hygiene items. No need to waste energy carrying twenty bags, right?

Mark Alvarado

Mark Alvarado is a UCLA alumnus that works in the field of graphic design. Most of his projects are related to marketing or promotional campaigns for start-up businesses. Besides work, he spends a lot of his time indulging in his favorite hobby, archery. Having practiced his shooting for over five years, one could say that Mark Alvarado is one of the best non-competitive bowmen around. Also, although the address of his primary residence is in Palo Alto, California, he owns property in Marfa, Texas. Besides archery and graphic design, he often spends time traveling all over the United States. Some of his trips even crossed the borders and reached international destinations like Germany and Austria.

 

What is your favorite thing about traveling?

The fact that I get to see something I have never witnessed before. I also love learning about other cultures, languages, norms, and rituals. What surprised me the most in my travels is the wide discrepancy between sub-cultures in the United States. For example, you could go to Texas after visiting Oklahoma and, even though these two states border one another, people that you meet will have very little in common. Imagine how different it is to go all the way to Seattle to meet people on the West Coast and then compare that to New York and all the fast talkers from the East Coast.

 

Is traveling a hobby or a lifestyle for you? How did you get started?

I like to think of it is a critical part of my lifestyle. One of my favorite quotes says that we are a byproduct of our experiences. Based on that, I will be a better version of myself if my life contains multiple diverse endeavors and traveling seems like a pretty diversifying experience to me. As far as me starting, it happened when I was still a teenager. I would often go on trips with my family during our school vacations. That instilled my passion for discovering new places.

 

Do you have any exciting travel dates planned for the future?

I plan on going to Texas in the next month or so. Although it will not exactly be a ground-breaking travel for me, I always anticipate my trips to Marfa with a huge dose of excitement. I mean, it is not like I get to shoot my arrows around Palo Alto whenever I feel like it. Texas, on the other hand, is a perfect place to unwind and enjoy some old-fashioned archery mixed with clean air and uninterrupted silence.

 

What are some travel tips you’d give to someone inexperienced?

Micromanage your trip. How long will you need to get from the airport to your hotel or house? Will there be a taxi waiting for you when you land? What days do you plan to see your family/friends? Do you need to set up travel notices with your bank? Who will take care of your property while you are gone? Trust me, leaving these types of questions unanswered can destroy your entire trip. Meaning, any minor oversight can snowball into a catastrophe that could shorten your voyage.

 

Where would you like to go?

I always dreamed about visiting Greece. I cannot count how many times I have seen commercials with see-through ocean water splashing sandy beaches that stretch for miles. As expected, they are usually depicting Greece shores. Although the current state of their economy is not as beautiful as their landscape, I have heard many positive experiences form people who went there.

 

Where would you like to revisit?

You can probably guess this one. I am always open to revisiting Marfa. There is a certain level of joy when you have a property of your own in a completely different state. It gives a perfect background to a getaway weekend or a mini-vacation. Not to forget that it is the only place where my arrows can fly as free as I want them to!

 

Do you travel alone? Why?

It depends. By no means am I surrounded by castle walls that make it impossible for people to approach me. On the contrary, I believe that a shared trip is always better than an experience where one is a lone wolf. With that being said, however, I will admit that some trips should be done without any partners in crime. Those include occasional vacations where people need to self-reflect for whatever reason.

 

If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?

As far as the United States, it would probably be California, Texas, and Florida. Although I am a little biased, I believe that these three are the most beautiful states in the nation. Internationally, however, I would say Germany, Grece, and Spain.

 

Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

I pack up the house and then some more. It is a part of my whole “micromanage” principle. Nevertheless, I completely understand people who just take a backpack and go somewhere. If my organizational skills were not borderline obsessive, I could probably avoid bringing items that I do not need. Regardless, being prepared is something that I value beyond additional charges that airline companies often place on my account. Not all my friends agree with that approach.