Tour of Ica!

On July 29th, everyone in the house woke up early for the tour of Ica. We all set out to the town center, where we met our tour guide James. After the rest of group assembled, we walked to the center where James explained what the center was (in Spanish). James spoke some English but he didn't explain this to me. Afterwards we walked by a church, before heading to the van.

Ica's city center

Church located right next to the center

One of Ica's streets

After getting into the van, we headed to Helena, a famous chocolate place (apparently there is one in Miami). We took pictures and sampled some of the chocolate, I would explain it as the Debrand's of Peru. After chocolate, we headed to a shrine and a different church for pictures.

Where the chocolate is made

Chocolate with Peru's flag!

This whole building was a sort of shrine/tribute to a boy in Ica who died in an earthquake. Many people believed that he looked like Jesus.

Next on the tour (after another church that we went into), we headed toward the place where we would sample Pisco, learn how it is made, and learn of witch stories. Pisco is the national liquor of Peru, and was first made in Ica in the 16th century. It is made distilled from local grapes in Ica's valleys, and can be drank straight or mixed into drinks (Pisco sour is the most famous). James took me aside and explained everything to the best of his abilities which was really nice of him (even if his English wasn't perfect, I got the gist of it).

Posing with the famous palm tree of Cachiche. The tree has 7 giant branches all along the ground. The townspeople claim this has to do with the witchcraft. It is said that when the 7th head appeared all of Ica would be wiped out (hasn't happened yet). 

Statue of the famous witch Julia Hernández Pecho Viuda de Díaz. She was said to fix the stutter of a man who went on to become a congress men (he put the statue up in her honor).

Hugging a tree that is said to make your wishes come true (I wished for a successful exchange)

Touching the butt of an ugly witch (no one liked her, but she had a giant butt). It is said  that if you touch her butt and don't pay her, you lose your own (so far so good). 

Pots where the Pisco sits until it's ready!

Variety of Pisco, my favorite was the coconut!

After Pisco (and lunch), we headed to the dunes. By the time we got through traffic, unloaded, and found a car, the time was prime for a Dune ride. The sun was setting and all of my pictures turned out fantastic.

Angye (host sister) is sand boarding down the hill. I did this standing up in the dark!

After we got done with the dunes, we went down to the lake and took some photos. The lake was stunning, but we couldn't go into it because it was dirty (clean apparently 10 years ago, similar to the trash situation). We then got back in the van, got stuck in traffic, and eventually headed back to the town center. We then all went home and called it a night.

L to R: Angye, Tia, Nati, Mama, me