We arrived in Ica around 11 am and went right to the dune buggies. It was one of the most fun things I have ever done. Each dune buggy held 10 riders and we had to wear seat belts that went over both shoulders, like on roller coasters. That was because dune buggying is like riding a roller coaster. If I hadn't been wearing that seatbelt I actually would have fallen out. Our driver was crazy and took us over huge dunes really fast and then turned and went back down again. That might not make sense, but that's okay.
We stopped at the top of a particularly large dune to take pictures and sand board! They gave each of us a board that looked a lot like a snowboard. We didn't do it standing up. That would have been crazy on our first time. We went down on our stomachs. You had to make sure your chin was up so that if you fell you didn't get a face full of sand. It was so fun. Like sledding, only warmer and dirtier.
There were three hills to go down and then we got back in the buggies and drove around for a while before going back to Huancachina for lunch. We sat next to the oasis and at chicken and salad and potatoes. It was wonderful.
Then we went to our hotel/resort. This was the cheap excursion, guys. And we stayed at a 4 star resort. No one was expecting this. We got free pisco sours as a welcome present! And then we sat by the pool all afternoon. It was like a real vacation.
For dinner we went to the city of Ica and found our own food. I had a rainbow smoothie and a chicken empanada. Empanadas are the bomb. If you haven't had one, I highly suggest it. Also, maracuya.
Sunday we left bright and early for Paracas which is about an hour and a half away, on the coast. We went on a boat tour and saw birds and sea lions and PENGUINS. They are migrating right now and the current goes right along the coast of Peru. It was sweet, but I felt a little motion sick. Then, on the way back we saw dolphins! I have seen so many dolphins in the last month!
After the tour we were able to shop a bit and then we went to lunch at Chincha. Chincha used to be where all the slaves were. When slavery was outlawed, they all kind of stayed in the area. This has led to a very distinct culture in this area. We had lunch at La Hacienda San Juan which was owned by some rich guys who owned lots of slaves. Eventually, the property was turned into an area for tourists. It's now a hotel and the descendents of the same slaves who worked there run the place now. They do a show with lunch where they sing and play music that developed there. And lunch was so good. Then we went on a tour. They took us in the catacombs and reminded us that while plantations are beautiful, they are also filled with horror. Slaves were brought to the catacombs first, to die from the diseases they had contracted. It weeded out the weak. They were abused there. It was awful. And there was a church on the property. It was just really sad. But at least their stories are being told.
(This month, more than any other time in my life, I have been confronted with the idea of success at the expense of another. From Las Alturas de Machu Picchu, to the destruction of the rainforest, to the unequal spread of wealth in Peru, and La Hacienda de San Juan. On top of that, I'm reading Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. I don't know what to do with all this yet, but for now I'm acknowledging that it's happening.)
After the tour, we got on our buses and went back to Lima. I have only listened to Sufjan Stevens this weekend. It was about time I became a fan.
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