Easter in Ica

Some of you who received my update saw a picture of part of my time in Ica. We left last Wednesday night and rode a bus for 14 hours to Ica. The early morning was a neat time to look out the window and see waves crashing on an untouched beach lit by the moon... one plus for being awake at that hour! I was inpacted by how much God cares for all the places of the world that we don´t even think or know about!
We got there and rested and then were off to see and do everything Ica had to offer; wine tours, dune buggies and sand boarding, watching the Good Friday procession, having a bonfire in the outskirts of town, swimming in a pool and tasting Ica´s finest fare! We had a great time and almost every moment was filled. Our host family´s dad is a great HOST! Ica is know for it´s wine and pisco. The stuff that´s in Pisco Sours- the alcoholic drink of Peru! Ana´s dad, Litos, works at a manufacturing plant for small grape farmers so we got a taste! Strong stuff!
Right outside Ica are the dunes and the only Oasis in South America. The picture was of us walking up the sand dunes(hard work) with family friends and then running down the face of them (scary at first but fun)! Sandboarding was actually sand sledding for those who had no snowboarding experience but fun all the same. And yes you find sand all over your body, even in your ears afterwards. The dune buggy ride felt like a roller coaster without the security of a closed course. I realized we hadn´t signed anything before getting in and taking off. You never knew if it was a steep decline or a little hill ahead!
The procession was impressive! First, the rugs, they call them that are on the streets- formerly made of flowers but now done with tinted chalk of some kind. Some great artistry! Then we walked the streets trying all the fare that only comes out during Semana Santa- manjar- thick caramel, ponche- hot milk drink, anticuchos- cow´s heart- really pretty good, chinchuli- intestines- chewy and yuck!, etc. Then we headed to a spot above the street to better observe the slow procession of about 40 men carrying on their shoulders an enourmous float of Jesus on the cross. The float was lit by lights all the way around and flowers were on top that people threw as it passed. The people carrying incense were in front. The priests surrounded the float to coordinate the men changing positions with those others that were lined up, smashed together waiting for a chance to take part. The band was behind them playing loud funeral type music. If I had only had my camera... The mood was somewhat depressing for me. So many people watching it but really not having a part. It was a reminder to me that we need to take up Christ´s cross each day, not just on special holidays. Those men seemed to get a glimpse of what Christ suffered carrying his cross up the hill, but for what? The procession supposedly went on for 16 hours. It gave me a glimpse into their reality. I asked one Catholic we were with, was this all they celebrate but he assured me in the churches on Sunday they celebrated the Resurrection. We didn´t get an opportunity to see that part but I sure did see a lot fo people walking around town on Sunday morning like a normal work day! ( As were we!)
Not a usual Easter to say the least!