MUD BATHS AND DINOSOURS

Saturday, March 13, 2010

One night is not enough and two is more than we need to see Pica and the surrounding area, so we take it easy and enjoy another day in the desert.

We drive to back to Matilla. Where in the desert dinosaur footprints have been found. A small park has been constructed with indications of the type of dinosaurs that may have roamed here.

The village has done a nice job to make it attractive with a variety of sculptures, depicting life in the country.

Of course when there is nothing interesting to see in a village, there is always a church. The church in Matilla was also almost entirely rebuilt after the 2005 earthquake.
We notice that many of the churches here have an elaborate display of the twelve apostles and the Last Supper. This one however is one of the largest at life size.


Unfortunately the old winery with its adobe walls has incurred major damage. The equipment inside is still in tact but much of the walls collapsed. Efforts to restore this area are also in the works.

When you are in a town such as this, you don't realize how isolated you are. It's amazing, that when you are on top of a hill at the outskirts of town, how far you can see into the dessert and what a small part takes up the civilized area.

Back in Pica, we return to the downtown area to see a collection of newspaper articles and items collected over the years. Some of the old adobe buildings are in pretty good shape, but others may only have the cane support left. For some reason, the door always seems to be in its original state.

Pica is a popular tourist destination. It has a natural swimming pool in between the rocks. The water is wonderful. It is said that the mud from the rock has certain healing powers. All along the sides of the pool are small indents where people have been scratching the mud and apply it to their body. Of course I have to try it as well, and yes, all my wrinkles are gone and I look ten years younger.

Although the altitude is not as high as some other places we have been to, it is high enough at 1,200 meters to feel sluggish. The heat contribute to this as well. 
We have lunch at a restaurant with a nice, tree covered patio in the back and spend the rest of the afternoon napping and watching TV.
A walk in the evening air closes off our visit to Pica.