There were very few privately owned automobiles and perhaps that is due to their driving rules which seemed to be non-existent. After nearly two weeks in the country I was never able to figure them out. Our guide said that traffic lights were treated as decorations only (no red-light cameras). In rural areas most traveled on foot or by a motorcycle taxi version of a rickshaw. It appeared that everything was delivered locally by these three-wheeled vehicles. Children travel great distances to school without public provided transportation. Going to school was viewed as a privilege. Most of the rural communities spoke native Quechan at home and learned Spanish, as a second language, when they started school.
The Peruvians in the rural communities still plow their fields with oxen and men, women and children work the fields with ancient hand implements. Those more prosperous than the others may have a small flock of sheep, alpacas or llamas. Everyone in the family is a shepherd and it was quite common to see an eighty-year old man or woman sitting in the field weaving while herding the livestock or young children leading oxen by a hand braided rope.
Some would suggest that this is not much different than the working conditions of the undocumented migrant workers in the United States. I have a much different opinion. The Peruvian people are proud of their heritage and are grateful to “Pachamama” (mother earth) for their fortune to have land to work and for the crops that grow. While poor by our standards they consider that “Pachamama” has provided them with the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families. They do not see themselves as downtrodden or impoverished.
They are still driven by the three main values of Inca tradition which admonishes them not to steal or lie, and most importantly, not to be lazy. We did not encounter any homeless people or anyone in dirty tattered clothing. And while they make a local alcoholic beverage known as Chicha we did not see an intoxicated person anywhere in the country. Their strong family values caused them to care for the elderly and infirmed. These are traditions and values that would certainly improve American society.
They also put large values on political promises. A local rural village was upset that the Mayor failed to keep the many promises he made prior to his election. Their demonstration at City Hall resulted in his death. Our politicians should be grateful that we don’t impose this ultimate form of political accountability.
I would highly encourage everyone to visit Peru for its beauty, history, and its wonderful hospitable people. You will certainly come back to America with a much greater appreciation for our society. Yes, you may even become more tolerable of our dysfunctional political institutions and those elected to serve.
