The threat level has been lowered and this life-changing crisis has been averted… at least temporarily.
Shortly after posting my emergency panic to the world, I was given a lead on the elusive Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers. Later, this intel was confirmed by another source, so I was fairly confident in its validity.
I was now on a mission. I had to make my way to the COEX mall in Seoul in search of the endangered snack that brings such happiness to my world. I was told to look for the place that sells Jelly Belly’s and there I would find my prize. Unfortunately, I had no store name with which to proceed.
I arrived at the COEX, pulse pounding. I could sense my prey’s presence. But it is a very large mall. I began searching for any stores that carried jellybeans, but found none. I went from one end of the mall to the other, looking in every shop window. I found plenty of jewelry and boatloads of other junk that wouldn’t fulfill my hunger.
The other problem I faced was that I did not have the handphone numbers of either of my informants. I was becoming concerned that despite the multiple sources, my hunt would be fruitless. Then I realized… I had the number of someone that could put me in contact with my first contact.
Soon I was conversing with someone that could put me on the right track. She described the area that housed the shop. It was in an offshoot section of the mall in an area I had not visited yet. I recalled seeing the signs she mentioned and was already on my way by the time we hung up.
My “fish-dar” was going wild! They were close… very close.
Suddenly, out of the farthest corner of my eye, I spotted a store that resembled the one of which she spoke. This had to be it. All the landmarks seemed to fit. I walked into this mecca for American snacks and various foods.
I saw Honey Roasted Peanuts for 13,000 won. I found very small packs of Oreos for 5,500 won. Both these overpriced items made me fearful for what I might have to pay for my treasure. But at this point, I was desperate enough to cut off an arm. As I turned, I saw a bright light beaming from an unknown origin.
THIS WAS IT!!! Bags and bags of gold… goldfish, that is.
My usual calm demeanor was now replaced with one that could best be described as “Gollum-like” in nature. I loaded bag after bag into my arms and took them to the checkout counter. The look on the woman’s face was priceless. She even gave out a high-pitched “huh” of shock. She counted. “Nine bags?” she asked. “Oh… no,” I replied, “ten.” There was that sound again. She rang them up and placed them into the first shopping bag… and then into the second. The beauty of the total price… THEY WERE HALF OFF!!!
My quest was an overwhelming success and I walked out of the store carrying two large shopping bags of Goldfish Crackers. Boy I must have looked like an idiot. But I didn’t care. Chances are now that I might make it to Christmas now.
Top this shopping trip off with a trip to On The Border for a spicy chimichanga (I chose that over Sbarro) and it was quite the costly day. But in the end… to appease the monster inside of me… it was all worth it.
Oh… I got the same look from the woman when I went back and bought five more bags after lunch. I mean… who knows when I’m going to get a chance to go back? And, at 2,000 won a bag, I couldn’t afford to let this little taste of sanity go swimming away.
