Shrimply the Best Weekend

As I started this weekend, I told myself I would spend my 2 days of child free peace simply relaxing and completing household chores... which is exactly why I found myself at a fish market in Nampo with a couple of friends on Sunday morning. Who needs rest when you could be surrounded by Nemo and ALL of his friends?

I was honestly like a kid in a candy store at this market. All around me were stalls filled with clams, lobsters, crabs, squid, prawns, shrimp, abalone, conch, mussels, oysters, and dozens of types of fish. There were easily a hundred stalls in this building. Every which way were vendors trying to pull you in and sell you fish which you could then take upstairs and have cooked for you in a restaurant. While I did not take them up on the offer, it was quite enticing.

I did end up grabbing lunch at a neighboring fish market where a vendor was successful in roping me into eating the freshly caught fish available. A friend and I ordered a platter of assorted grilled clams and grilled shrimp. The platter was a beautiful array of various clams, mussels, oysters, and conch. The conch was completely new to me and really did not have a flavor which was a little disappointing. Same with the oysters. The clams, however, were absolutely amazing, as I knew they would be. The whole experience may have cost practically an arm and a leg, but I am quite glad I indulged. When in Rome (Busan) and all that.

After lunch, the three of us moseyed over to BIFF Square where we met up with a friend who lived in the area. There were a variety of stalls to shop at, especially if you are in need of knock off designer brands. Fortunately, I was not on the prowl for an almost Louis Vuitton purse. All the window shopping quickly tired us out, and we found ourselves at a quaint coffee shop. I had the best vanilla latte of my entire life as well as a slice of carrot cake. Shame it is located so far away from me on a regular basis. On second thought, maybe it IS a good thing it's located so far.

The final stop of the night was the Busan Craft Beer Festival in Bexco. The beer festival was fun, albeit a little chilly especially since it is officially fall (still waiting on those leaves to change though). I got a free tattoo (sorry, mom and dad), and tried half of a free sample of beer before deciding once again that yes, I really don’t like beer. I know, I know...what's the point of going to a BEER festival if I don't drink beer? The pizza I had was some of the best I have tasted here, although it could have used a smidge more sauce. The three of us also met up with two other English teachers who work at our sister English center in a neighboring city. It’s always interesting swapping stories from the two schools and seeing how they compare and contrast.

Also, fun sidenote. I managed to find the cutest blue, lightweight jacket at a thrift store in Seomyeon. Technically I did not need the jacket, but I had been on the hunt for a light jacket to wear now that it is chilly in the mornings and evenings. Score one for me!