Chapter 17 - Saint Martins

Second day in Kawayan City. After breakfast, they decided to go to a Pokémon Safari Zone at Saint Martins on Navarre Island to try to catch any new Pokémon there. So, they will be taking a train so the trip will be faster and more convenient. And so, they went to the West Kawayan City Railway Station to buy tickets for their trip.

"So, three tickets to Saint Martins?" the cashier ask them about the tickets. Getting some money from his wallet Jonathan replied back in confirmation, "Yes, one adult and two kids, please."

"Okay, that'll be 520 Pokédollars,"the cashier responded back. "Cash or card?" Jonathan then gave the money to her, who then counted the money before giving back the change as well as giving the tickets for their train ride. Receiving the tickets, Jonathan said thank you to her politely before he, Rico, Isaiah and their teams proceed to the platform through the security gates. Since their direction was westwards, they had to traverse over the train tracks through a footbridge and to the other side of the tracks. Upon arriving there, they sat down on a smooth concrete bench in waiting. The train from Dasma Town will be arriving at 9:10 a.m., and also it comes with an electric locomotive and six train cars: 1 is cargo, 2 is in business class and the rest are in economy class. The three of them passed time by listening to music and playing with their Pokémon as the platform was mildly crowded with people.

Then, finally, the train had arrived at the station, opening its doors. As the other passengers get off, Rico and his group boarded the train and into one of the business class cars. Inside the air-conditioned, comfortable train car, they selected seats in according to their tickets, and then, they finally found it: a table for four with a window view, curtains, and 4 comfortable, padded seats. After putting their belongings on overhead compartments, they settled in with their Pokémon. By 9:35 a.m., the doors are closed and the train starts to depart towards Saint Martins. Their safari adventure was just starting.

Later in the train journey, as the train climbs up speed to 110 km/h, Rico and Isaiah glanced at the train window in the countryside of the island while Jonathan reclined in relaxation, with Litleo standing on the table in glancing. The west side of the island was mostly consisted of lowlands and coastal plains, before it ended at a tunnel that is dug through a mountain. 3 minutes later, the train got out of the tunnel and is now going through a series of rocky coastal plateaus, which extends all the way to the northwest side of the island and the average height above sea level is 30 feet high. But still, there are narrow stretches of sandy beaches and small areas of civilizations, as Pokémon inhabiting that area.

10:00 a.m. The train had arrived at Saint Martins, right on time. As the doors open, most of the passengers, including Rico and his group, get off the train and onto the platform, with some transfer to another platform that goes to another train line heading further west of the region, as if Saint Martins' train station is an interchange station. Later on, after passing through the platform gates, the group entered the city of Saint Martins, a coastal city with a plateau where the Pokemon Safari Zone was located. The city was located only 75 kilometers from the Toledo Island, another of Philas' main islands and vast majority of the city, including the downtown and 7 districts, was located on the lowlands and a coastal plain, while the outskirts and the rest of the districts are located on elevated areas. But despite the looks of the downtown being flat, half of that was elevated very gradually by only a few feet, but was still accessible and safe. Much like the other towns and cities in the region, the inner parts are consisted of mixed residential and business, often, the buildings are two or three storeys high and usually had European-style decorations on their exteriors, especially the windows, doors, and outdoor furniture and services. And in the center a few blocks from the downtown districts, a big, wide plaza stands supreme to all places in the city in terms of land size, with four big fountains, lots of trees and shrubs, concrete and marble pathways that criss-cross across the large plaza but in an orderly, logical manner, and finally, a large gazebo that is 10 feet high and made of marble and granite, smooth to the touch. Much like the other places, It had a big Pokémon Center, but instead of a gym, a wide Pokémon Safari Zone stands at the plateau east of the city, which can be accessible by road.

Walking down the crowded market streets in the market district in the city, Rico and Isaiah are marveled by the market's selections, especially on food and drinks. Street vendors and small restaurants cooked up their menu food constantly as customers flock at all times. Smell from various hot food and cold drinks permeated across the street as the sounds of the fire cooking the food and drinks being mixed created a noisy sound effect across.

"Wow, this is so cool," Rico commented in enthusiasm. Lucario then responded with happiness.

"Yeah, I mean, in this kind of place, you can find local delicacies," Isaiah explained positively. They then stopped at a churro stand, where the owner was busy cooking and coating them with cinnamon sugar and put them on display. Upon seeing his new customers, the owner, a middle-aged man with a sombrero hat, greeted them before proceeding to ask them what they want to order.

"A plate of 7 cinnamon sugar-coated churros with chocolate and vanilla side," Rico placed his order positively.

"Me too as well," Isaiah placed his.

"Mine is the same," Jonathan placed his as well.

"And also three glasses of Iced Tea with ice," Rico placed an additional order quickly. Jotting down their requests onto a notepad, the owner proceeds to make their order immediately, cooking the churros in hot oil and while it cooks, he filled three glasses with cold Ice Tea and iced cubes. Once the churros are cooked and hot, the owner pick it up while shaking off the excess oil and and place them in a rectangular plastic container filled with cinnamon sugar before rolling them repeatedly until it was fully coated. The group watch in amazement as the owner does his job. Once the churros are fully coated, the owner arranged them in three paper plates and side them with chocolate and vanilla sauces in one side of the paper plates. He then served it to the group, along with the beverages, telling them to enjoy it. Rico then get some money from his wallet and give it to the owner in payment. Accepting them, Jonathan said thank you to him, and the owner received the payment in exchange. Jonathan and his group then left the stand and to a nearby outdoor dining area to enjoy the snacks.

And at that outdoor dining area, they all settled in and enjoy their hot snack, feeling feeling the taste and sweetness of the churros, especially the cinnamon sugar coat and when the churros are being dipped in chocolate and vanilla sauces. Rico and Isaiah then take a sip of their glasses of cold Ice Tea, quenching their thirsts very quickly. Their Pokémon are watching them, before their Trainers gave them some churros. Their Pokémon, in response, felt the good taste of it in happiness, responding with positivity.

"Man, it was so delicious and sweet!" Rico commented happily as he munch on these hot snacks.

"Yeah, these are really tasty," Jonathan commented with a positive outlook.

Later on, by 10:45 a.m., they are now done eating, and are now ready to head to the Pokémon Safari Zone, walking down a street to the plateau.