I finally, finally, finally get to go to Muscat tomorrow after 5 or 6 near attempts to get there over the years, I'm off tomorrow morning for the next 3 days. Oman is a silver bug haven with nearly everything decorated in intricate silver and a bustling silver trade. With prices going through a recent correction (not to be confused with 'correct price' otherwise known as an 'explosion upwards') I'm going to be bargain hunting. I actually purchased a big bunch of physical today for only the 2nd time in my investing career- the brief blip at 16-something was too tempting to pass up (funny last time it was 8 that was too good to pass up- I was right!). I expect this to have been a very, very good move.

I'll pass on anything I hear from the silver traders, Omanis are supposed to be very traditional (unlike ultra-modern Dubai) and value the trade as a deeply traditional part of their heritage. I have one beautiful Omani dagger at home already, but may be tempted to get another...

P.S. rumors abound in Dubai that they will have a worse 2010 than 2009 financially and that the real estate market is facing a further 50% collapse (after already being down 48% year on year). Throw in the new bankruptcy court and some banks are going to be hurting. A number of my friends here who recently left gold and silver are now re-buying at slightly lower prices.

Happy New Year everyone- lets hope 2010 is the year of Gold, Silver and ECU. One things for sure... it's definitely going to be a year of inflation! Thanks to all the greats on the board- it's a lot of work to compile what you do- thanks.

Soul 09 for the last time...