Having checked off most of our must-dos, we wander over to Gwangjang market JUST TO HAVE A LOOK. We have no intentions of buying anything. It’s Sunday, so while food stalls are open, most other vendors are closed. Except for hanbok merchants, as we quickly learn.
An innocent stop to admire the colorful rainbow of traditional dresses brings the elderly store owner over. She unlocks her stall and ushers us in.
As she proceeds to select colors and dress Izzy, Jenny whispers “I really don’t think we need a second hanbok.” I concur, and start plotting an exit strategy.
Izzy looks beautiful in the outfit, but has a slightly alarmed look, since we had just bought a hanbok and they are, in general, not an inexpensive piece of clothing. Standing in the partially lit shop, an ancient women shuffles past, casts an eye at Izzy and says something to her shop mate (maybe her daughter?).
Our resolve starts to melt. I ask how much. She taps out 150,000 Won on her calculator ($105). That’s a really good price. And we are in Seoul. And Izzy looks magnificent. After some negotiating, we pay $75, and our return home luggage, and credit card, take another modest hit.
Worth it. Every Won.
Home on the Roam 
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