Sangolqui con los Jacomes

Last Saturday, we were invited by our friends Gustavo and Maria Jose Jacome, to join their extended family at their "quinta", which is sort of like a ranch home, in the country. Of course we took them up on their offer and happily awaited their arrival to pick us up at Casa Ambato. The drive to Sangolqui takes about 45 minutes through various towns and ends on a bumpy cobblestone road that leads into their driveway. The view was beautiful: mountains, trees and lots of green fields.
Recently, Gustavo and his family lost their father to Alzheimers, a disease which he had been battling for 10 years. His mother had been the primary care giver. The funeral for his father, Gustavo Jacome, was on the Monday after we arrived here. Jon and I and a few friends were able to attend the mass for him. I believe this was the first time the family had been back to Sangolqui since his death. The Jacomes come out to la quinta every Saturday and hang out, play soccer, and have an awesome BBQ. If felt like an honor to be invited this particular time.
We arrived around 12:30 pm and lounged around. The BBQ was going and various tasty meats kept arriving on the table for us to try, as pre-lunch appetizers. One that we enjoyed a lot is called salchipan: sausage cooked on the barbeque, then placed in some french bread. Very tasty and addicting. Lunch was various meat choices, potatoes, salad, chips and beverages. As is customary, lunch is immediately followed by dessert, usually helado de fruta o pasteles. ( Some type of fruit flavored ice-cream, or a cake of some kind). And, as is customary, dessert is immediately followed by the invitation to partake in tea or coffee. As you can imagine, meal-time, especially lunch, can be long and luxurious affair.
We had a great time sharing stories and getting to know Gustavo´s family. We enjoyed talking with one of his younger brothers, Santiago, and his wife Juana. Both very sweet and interested in us. We lounged a bit longer at the table, then took a walk around the edge of the property with Gustavo. He showed us the trees they had planted, that are intended to be a barrier of sorts, blocking the view of a not-so-friendly neighbor. We checked out the soccer field and the fruit trees he hopes his children will climb in one day.
We ended our time by sitting around the fire inside, eating snacks and telling stories ranging from how Jon and I got engaged to how Gustavo took piano lessons for the sole purpose of learning ONE Billy Joel song (She´s Always A Woman..)to be able to play for a girl he was in love with. (More on this later, as is is a great story). It was wonderful to get away, to be in a place that was quiet and green, void of city noises and just relax. We are thankful for friends like Gustavo and Maria Jose and will gladly take up any future invitations.