The Rugby Match

Once again, we were reading the Gringo Tree e-mail, a sort of newsletter that comes out four or five times a week.  People advertise apartments for rent, apartments they want, stuff for sale, and general information about what is going on in and around Cuenca.  We read about a rugby match at a local University and we thought, what the heck - lets go.  That morning Michael, myself and my cousin Dan strolled down to a little museum  that displays what is supposed to be genuine archeological artifacts, it is small but cool, and then we dashed off to the Rugby match which was suppose to start at 2:00, so like typical Gringos, we showed up on time.  We were expecting a big crowd, and to our amazement, the only people there were our two friends Wally and Hazel. 

Our Friends Wally and Hazel

Michael and Dan watching the Rugby Match

Rugby Players

After a little while, the woman we rent from and her boyfriend came to watch the match as well.  So  we all sat there watching these guys, and it was like watching paint dry.  BORING, it turned out these guys were REAL amatuers, just learning the game.  Eventually, the boyfriend of the woman we rent from said "Let's get out of here, I don't live far, we can go to my place instead of sitting here".  EVERYONE was up for that, so a little impromptu afternoon was spent at his house.   ( As we left, the real Rugby players showed up, around 4:00, it is Ecuador after all)

The home we went to  has 39 rooms, 39 ROOMS!!!!.  The grounds are unbelievably beautiful , overlooking the hills.  We spent some time in the outdoor entertaining area surrounded by 50 year old palms with Frank Sinatra crooning in the background.  The outdoor entertainment area was almost the size of our current apartment, one area was enclosed with a stocked bar and lounging chairs, we sat in the area with a covering , but no sides, so we enjoyed the afternoon breeze.  We were told it was built as a result of his parents saying that the children could not drink in the house, therefore the brothers built this FABULOUS entertainment area.  Too funny.  We sat around and talked about everything, and nothing.  What a relaxing and enjoyable way to spend the afternoon.   We had a great time 


After awhile, Hazel and Wally invited us all back to their home for dinner, again, WE WERE ALL UP FOR IT.  So we descended on Hazel and Wally's house, by the way, Oscar was invited as well!  We were served steak and mashed potatos and salad, again an impromtu invitation.  The conversation was lively, sometimes serious, but most of the time the night was filled with laughter. The evening ended around 11:00. Michael, Dan, me and Oscar strolled back to our apartment.  The hospitality we have been shown here is unreal. 
Another great day in Cuenca.