Meori Apeuda

Chapter 2

I walked at the end of the group, Chan right beside me, Felix a few steps ahead. In front of us the rest of the guys were chattering lively and fast in Korean, accompanied with hectic hand gestures. I didn't understand a single word, but I very much enjoyed the sound of the language. It sounded quite melodic.

Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Chan throwing glances at me every other step, then looking forward again. The next time it happened I faced him quickly and whispered: "Gotcha!" He looked startled and turned his head quickly, then he started laughing. His cheeks reddened slightly and there was that spark in his eyes...

I grinned and looked back forward. One of his friends had turned his head and was watching me with a strange look in his eyes. When he noticed me looking back at him, he turned to the front again, shoving his hands in the pockets of his shorts.

I frowned thoughtfully and wondered what his problem was. Maybe he had looked forward to an "all guys- evening" and was now angry that I had joined them? Seemingly not everybody was happy that I joined them...

"Everything alright?" I looked over to Felix, who had fallen back a little, so he could walk next to me. I nodded, smiled and shrugged my shoulders. "Yeah. I'm just a little nervous, because I've never eaten Korean Food in my life, and to be honest: I have no idea what to order? Or better: HOW to order!"

My two companions laughed. "Oooh trust me, I know that feeling!" Felix snorted. "I felt similarly when I came to Korea. Don't you worry, we'll help you. Just take the seat between us and we'll translate for you, right?" I nodded, quite relieved and thankful. And promised myself to get myself a Korean Dictionary ASAP, so I could learn at least the most simplest phrases.

But to be able to do that, I needed a Job, to earn at least a few Won. I won't go far with my last 80 AUDs.

During our conversation we had reached the town and the group headed purposefully for a restaurant on the pier. On a seaview terrace stood a cozy looking array of tables and wicker chairs, with white table cloths and Chandeliers. All in all the restaurant looked elegant but homely too, and I wondered how expensive it was to eat here.

The guys headed directly for the terrace - which was absolutely fine by me, for the middle of September it was still quite warm outside - and four of them started pushing two of the bigger tables together. They looked like they did that all the time, they were like a well-rehearsed team. The second half of them organised chairs for all of us and only a few minutes later we had a big table, fitting all nine of us. As previously agreed Chan and Felix placed me between them and I let myself sink into the upholstered wicker chair.

The waiter arrived and everyone at the table welcomed him with friendly nods and greetings. He let his gaze wander quickly over the people at the table and stopped at Chan, bowing slightly before him and pulled out a pad and a pen. I assumed he was ready to take the orders for the drinks.

I watched as Chan waved him off with a friendly smile and pointed to his neighbor. His friend nodded his thanks and began to order. One after the other told his order and I looked to Felix for help. He noticed my glance and put his hand on mine reassuringly. "I'll order for you ok? Soft drink?" he whispered and I nodded.

It was our turn now and Felix switched to Korean, quickly ordering for both of us, accompanied by hand gestures towards me. As the eyes of the waiter flickered over to me I tried my best smile and he replied. Gosh, those Korean people truly were the most polite ones I've ever met in my life.

Then it was finally Chan's turn and afterward the waiter returned inside. The others began talking among themselves, two stood up to take pictures of the group and the view. When they photographed the people at the table, I started to feel nervous. I had to make sure that I wasn't recognizable on those fotos. Social media was a real treat for someone who was looking for information...