14 CHAPTER 14: FREE TIME (1/2)

The next day it was sunny and bright, Ritz and Rei woke up early and they prepared breakfast. By 8:30 in the morning they all left and went to church. The service started at 9 a.m. woth a simple melody from a piano being played.

The worship leaders started by asking everyone to stand and sing a couple of songs, then prayed thereafter. Once everyone were sitted the passage was read and the message was delivered by the pastor. After 30 minutes, they all sang a response song and few more worship songs. As for the last hour left, they ask if anyone would like to praise or ask for prayers. The service ended with an offering and prayer through a song.

Ritz was new to this, and tried to join while singing. Although she got interested with the sermon about prayer and approached the spreacher after the service. She was able to meet some of Rei's group of youth that she is taking care of.

After lunch with Rei's family, both said their goodbyes and left going back to school. They reached the harbour of the dorm at 1 in the afternoon and changed. By 2:00, they left for the school campus and meet both Jade and Len at the school gate, already waiting for them.

”So... Len, is this your first time to see the area?” Jade asked.

”Yes, it is. I wasn't able to join the tour.” Len answered.

”Let us then start in the market place, then the residential area until we end up to the school. Would that be alright with everyone.” Jade explained.

By the time they reached the market place, it was pack of different people both students and citizens. They then start hearing names of plants and flowers.

”Rei... we're here again. I feel like I live in a different time. One time when I was in high school, a teacher of mine stop me from over using adjectives. I tend to make my words too 'flowery' in a way. Well... if she ever hear this, I'd like to see her face.” Ritz whispered.

”I don't think they are doing it to play on us. It is their language anyway. Just hope they don't talk about selling us.” Rei said to Ritz.

”Oh, please no.... So this is what our linguist instuctor ask as to learn, I can't even understand anything aside from the plant or flower and even those do not make the whole sentence understandably.” Ritz complained.

”Well... that is for the three of us. This is even worse than hearing my relatives talk on their dialect.” Len said joining to the conversation.

The three continued walking beside Jade until they reached the place he planned to show them. It was a shop, cafe to be exact. When you look from outside it is like a tavern made out of the rocks. Inside it is well lighted, cool and cozy. The view from the window shows the sea. It is also high ceiling and wide with comfortable chairs at the sides and an area people could sit on the floor. They took a place near the window and a tall, skinny person with silver hair came to take their order.

”Doog yad, woh yam I pleh uoy?”

”Uh.... ym sdneirf dna I dluow evah eht tseb relles doof dna sknird. I tnaw meht ot rosemary siht ecalp.”

”Taht dlouc eb enod, Jade. Tiaw esaelp dna agrimony.” He left after taking the order.

”What just happened, did I just heard you...? how do you do it, I feel awkward hearing it.” Ritz started after the man leaved.

”It's fine, you guys could get use to it. You won't be able to survive here if you could not at least know how to speak their language.”

”That is true, however why add a flower or a plant's name to an english word that has been scrambled?” Rei asked.

”..... well that was fast..... it took me 3 months before I got how they talk. That's amazing Rei! you should continue whatever how you are doing it. Why don't we just enjoy this time and don't over stress yourselves. Those who are performing here are mixed, some comes from the locals others are students. Of course, you are aware that some of the students are from here?”

”I actually notice that lately.” Len said and both girls just nod in agreement. They waited for the entertainment to begin, after 5 minutes the band started. The lead singer started singing, her voice was perfect not too high pitch that cause you to close your ears and very clear.

”What the! should we just go?” Ritz whispered to Rei.

”No, we'll wait.” She replied calmly and look between Shana and Jade.

”Hey, Rei. Come on, we should leave. They're coming.... and they saw us.”

Ritz told Rei after the band stopped playing.