Insadong

I asked Chris to drop me off at the thrift shop at 10 so I could meet Tina. Her son was having a playmate over and we were going to go miniature golfing and to the craft fair at Namson tower. BUT, she didn't show up until almost 11. Seems the playmate had changed his mind and no one had told Tina. So, after buying a few things at the thrift shop (hey - all you can shove in a grocery sack for $5), we parked by Gate 17 and headed to Dongdaemun. We bought fabric for making shorts. Then she wanted to go to Insadong, but it wasn't on the subway map. ARRGGHH! But I remembered seeing signs for it at the Lotus Lantern Festival in Jongak, so we went there. We had to do a little wandering. We stopped at a Burger King because we saw a picture of a dish of icecream surrounded by mixed fruit. But what we got was mostly crushed ice, with some softserve, surrounded by sweet bean paste, cornflakes, and a little mango and pineapple. Oh well. Then I had to buy some squid fries for the protein. Tina thinks squid fries are disgusting!
Tina was looking for a place that sold pocketbooks like the one a friend of hers bought there. So up and down each street. We passed a stand where a man spins honey by stretching it and refolding it like a rubber band. Each time he stretches it, he dips it in some powder to keep the strings from sticking. When it is in thousands of tiny strands, he cuts them into hanks, and wraps a spoonful of nuts into each hank. I think there are 10 hanks to a package. It tastes kinda like cotton candy but not as sweet. After that, we passed and icecream place. I got a grape cone, she got blueberry one. THEN, she found a purse place, but it wasn't the right one. However, just down the street, there it was. She finally got it.
As we were wandering back to the subway, we passed a large gathering place set up for a concert. The sign proclaimed FREE coffee, tea, hot water and popcorn. So we got in line, were handed cups of powder, which we took to the water dispensers to hydrate into coffee for her, and tea for me. We sat in two of the many chairs set out, but decided that it could be awhile before the concert started so we went home.
Well, that is, we got on a subway train, but just as it was pulling away, there was a loud, sharp sound and some lights went out. Tina thought it was a gunshot. I thought it was a fuse. Everyone was looking around. Then the doors opened, and people started leaving so Tina did, too and I followed her. We had to find another route home. And we did (and without breaking any more trains). She dropped me off at the apartment since I had so much stuff. Chris came home a little later with groceries. He made supper and food for tomorrow after church. I laid down and rested after my adventure, reading a book until after 10pm.
Chris and Michele had their own adventure going to Yonsei University, timing the trip, and eating lunch at an Italian restaurant.