everything's an adventure in NYC

Today I decided to go to Target. Now for most people, you don't have to plan to go to Target. You just get in your car and drive. When I lived in Texas, my apartment was a 5 minute drive to the nearest Target. If I had been really motivated, I could have walked there. In New York, this is not the case. Getting to Target from my apartment took just over 30 minutes and two subway trains, leaving Manhattan to go to the Bronx.
I set out at 3pm. I took the A train to 168th street. Then I transferred to the 1 train. However, this transfer is unlike most subway stations. To get to the 1 line, I had to take an elevator down to the platform. When you are prone to clautrophobia, an elevator ride underground is definitely unnerving. I began to experience some signs of an anxiety attack as I waited for the elevator door to open. I believe they took a few seconds longer than necessary to open.
After getting off the subway, I walked the short walk through the 28 degrees to get to Target. The first thing I noticed was the line that seemed to exist outside the Target. It was 3:30pm on a Sunday. Why would people be lined up to get inside Target? I have no idea. I never did find out. But the doors were definitely closed and locked with people waiting to go inside. I'd just traveled up to the Bronx and now it looked like I might not even be able to go in to Target. Luckily, I saw employees moving towards the doors and soon they were open and people filed inside. Thank goodness. I didn't go all that way only to turn around and go back home.
I wandered around Target still suffering from confusion. I could not figure out what was going on, but it didn't feel like a normal Target experience. First of all, there were tons of employees throughout the store, and they were all rushing around. Second, I felt like I wasn't supposed to be in there. Sure there were other shoppers in the store, but it felt like we were just in the way. I found some clothes I wanted to try on, but when I got to the dressing rooms I was told they were closed. Um, that's definitely weird.
I spent nearly an hour wandering around feeling disoriented and overwhelmed. Everywhere I looked, it seemed I saw people just acting weird. After picking out a new comforter, 3 DVDS, and some pajamas, I decided it was time to go. I wasn't sure they check out lines would even be open. Luckily they were. I made my purchases and left the Bizarro Target.
I finally got home at 5pm. My entire Target experience took 2 hours. Who knew Target could be such special, and in this case odd, adventure?