Today is my last full day in Seoul. My friend, Hae-Young arranged for me to visit her childhood friend's Pine Tree Farm. I had to navigate Seoul subway/train system to meet up with her. I picked the most complicate place to start, Seoul Central station which has 7 levels of basement. Good thing I gave myself an extra hour to start. It took me several tries to go the B2 (Basement level 2) to locate the right kiosk to purchase the ticket. Luckily I can select English for instruction. After purchasing the ticket, then I had to figure out where to board the train. It was B7 with the right elevator. Then I had to ask someone of the train if I was on the correct train going to the right direction.
Soon I realized I am heading towards the border with N Korea. The pine tree farm is in Neung-Gok. Yun-Tae picked us up at the train station and drove a few miles to his farm. I think that is his Man Cave where he spent his retirement hanging out with friends and cooked for them. He even built a wood platform bed to take naps after eating and drinking. We have ginseng chicken and rick cake prepare by his wife. Hae-Young's youngest sister (Ho-Young) joined later. She is also an accomplished painter.
As the day drew to close, I was dropped off at another train station and rode it to central Seoul. I decided to visit the river at Cheonggyecheon. An egret was hunting for little fishes. Eventually I looked for a place for dinner. In Korea rarely you see people eating alone, unless it is a tourist like me. I was refused entry to a small crowded bar. I found a street side seat at a Chinese style BBQ place.
After dinner I walked back to my hotel and finished packing.