Zach Wegner

Just a reminder that I am no longer using travelblog.org to post updates! You can find my new blog at: TravelBlog (http://zachwegner.blogspot.com/) Thanks for reading! I really appreciate hear from you or just seeing that people have read what I have to say!... read more

Hey all! I have a new blog to help you keep track of me while I'm in South Korea! Check it out at zachwegner.blogspot.com... read more

Amazing. We left Lima this morning in a plane that hurdled us over the Andes in an hour. After a quick dive and surprisingly smooth landing considering the pilot had to drop a few thousand feet from the mountain peaks we arrived in Cuzco. For anyone that has been to South America you know what it is like getting out of an airport--"No, I have a hostel reserved." "I appreciate the offer but I don't want to pay $20.00 for a cab ride of about 10 blocks." "Wow! You'll be our guide?! How much does it cost?....Oh." Generally speaking it is a stressful experience and when you have a back pack and are translating for a friend in a language you wish you knew more of...let's just say it is a "fun" experience. We happened to ... read more

Hey all, Just a quick hello from Nazca, Peru. We're coming to the end of the desert but not before stopping to fulfill I life-long dream of mine. I remember seeing a picture and short article about the Nazca Lines in a textbook when I was in elementary school. I remember sitting at my desk and dreaming about being a part of the culture that created such cool designs in the desert. Now, nearly twenty years later, I am just an hour away from going to see the Lines with my own eyes. I can't explain how much this trip means to me and I feel unbelievable privileged and thankful for everyone that has made it possible for me. Keep chasing those dreams...... read more

Well, we arrived this morning in Tacna, Peru's most southern city. It's only about 40 miles from Arica but you have to pass through customs to get here. It was my first time going through customs on land (not including Canada when I was a kid and passports weren't required--does that make me sound old or what?!). I'm quickly falling in love with Peru. It has a very distinct feeling from Chile and even the people have a different look about them. I still feel comfortable though. We arrived at the bus station in Tacna after the driver of our colectivo, or taxi/bus, almost drove off the road about 20 times, hit a woman (well, more like nudged), and almost ran over a school bus full of kids--Peru started off stressful. But we got off the ... read more

Hey all, I'm writing to you from an internet café in Chile's most northern city, Arica. It's a city of nearly 200,000 (or so say the Chileans). The bus ride here was 18 hours through the driest desert in the world. Intense to say the least. I am making my way north through Chile and Peru before heading back to the states after over 8 months in Chile teaching English. As with the last few post I probably won't say much but be sure that a lengthy reflection will be posted when I get back and settled. On November 25th I said goodbye to the town I called home for nearly a year and to the friends and family I had made there. I will carry those memories forever. But I had to head to Santiago ... read more

So 8 months have slipped past and now I'm sitting in a libreria in Caldera trying to think of how to sum them up in a few words during my last 3 hours in town. It goes without saying that I won't be able to accurately describe how I feel but I'll try. I arrived in Caldera in April with a little hesitation. I was hoping to be placed in a small town but when I got here the reality sunk in--I will be calling this place home for 8 months. I remember that uncertainty and the feeling of "what have I done!" I was taken on a small tour of the area my first day here and saw some pretty spectacular places like Bahia Inglesa (English Bay) which is like a little piece of the ... read more

So it's been a while...and for good reason. My laptop became infected with numerous viruses and now the hard drive crashed. So, I haven't been able to do any updates lately and probably won't do more than one or 2 before I get back home in December. I can't believe I only have 2 weeks left in Caldera! See you soon!... read more

I've tried writing this 2 times before this and both times something happened. The first time my battery ran out before I had a chance to save it and the second time the window went back to the previous screen on its own without me hitting the Back button. So here goes again: It's been a busy few weeks here. I've been feeling the rapid approach of my return to the US. This pressure has encouraged me to really start making a plan for the following months and years. So over the past month or so I've been spending as much time as I can looking into graduate school, internships, and other employment. I really enjoy the process though at times it is tedious. It allows me to dream about what kind of life I want ... read more