Author: Zachary A. Marx

Zachary Marx is currently living and working in Munich, Germany. He graduated with a degree in Political Science in 2006 from the University of Tennessee, and continues to bleed orange. So far, his vagabond lifestyle has brought him to five continents, and twenty-eight countries, with extended stays in China, Japan, and Korea. He started 80couches.com in February of 2011, with the ultimate goal of using it as the premise for couchsurfing around the globe. Your feedback and suggestions are welcome. He can be reached by carrier pigeon, smoke signals, telegram, and via the Interwebs, at zachary.marx@gmail.com.

The Typhoon and the Case of the Missing Apartment

September 2, 2010 11:06Typhoons must love me. During my first month in Japan, I experienced two; now, one week into my stay in Korea, get get slammed. I pretty much slept through the whole ordeal but most of my coworkers…

A Night in the Casino

August 31, 2010 23:14 It always feels good to walk out of a casino with more money than you arrived with—as if you beat the system. Tonight, was one of those nights. My coworkers invited me out to the Walker…

Blast from the Past: First Day in Zurich…

Originally written March 10, 2008 First of all, let me apologize in advance on the very real possibility that I will inadvertently use a “z” for a “y” or vis-versa. Or if I inexplicably use any one of the following…

…Raining on my Seoul

So I’ve spent the better portion of this morning sitting in a coffee shop playing online when I would love nothing more than to be exploring this great city. Since my arrival, Seoul has alternated between oppressive heat and humidity…

I’m so bored with the US…A

So this is it, y’all. Last day in America. I’ve been so stressed out with packing/moving/dog concerns that I’ve just now started to get excited. I think with the way life has worked out these last few years, my natural…

Blast from the Past: Packed day in Prague

Originally written March 17, 2008 06:53 I set out early today to catch the Charles Bridge before it got packed. It wasn’t raining before I left but it’s coming down fairly steady now. Without proper sunlight the photos at Charles…

Losing and the Cubs: A Lesson in Futility

Oh, you adorable Cubbies, dependably snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, and today was no exception. For as far back as I can remember, I’ve wanted to go to a Cubs game. Wrigley Field. The Ivy. The Tradition. The…

Countdown Mode: One Week

In preparing to depart, there always comes a point when one wakes up and realizes, “GHAA!!! I’M LEAVING IN ONLY (insert time frame here)!!!” I had “that” moment today. Two things really kicked this off: 1) I received my itinerary…

Blast from the Past: Beware of the Kancho

Originally written October 22, 2006 Dear everyone, First, I feel I must clear something up-I am not, contrary to my grandparents’ belief, partying non-stop in Japan. I felt I made that perfectly clear last time with my disgust at the…

Riding the Rails

Somewhere between Milwaukee and Chicago 7:32 AM I’m on my way to Chicago for my Korean Visa Interview. I’m wearing the same suit and tie as I wore for my JET Interview at the Atlanta Japanese Consulate over 4 years…

Little League World Series

In a given year, I might watch 15-20 complete baseball games. About 75% of these games have to be in the Little League World Series. The US Regional Semifinals are on ESPN today, and I have to say, I’m psyched.…