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Andean society and practices

Here in the Andean highlands there exist a complex social network among neighbors, families, land owners, health workers and shop owners, to name a few. People really depend upon each other and strive for balance within society that appears egalitarian. Land use for food, animal husbandry and general resources reflect a balance or fluidity, as well.
Going to market and watching people walk for very long distances to sell their goods opened my eyes to the differences in conceptions of time and energy. The notion of the “Peruvian hour” and the importance of stopping to interact with people you know along the way, struck me.
Learning about the different foods that are grown and produced in this region has been a very satisfying experience. Going to market to see the potato and corn varieties as well as sampling them here at the chacra allowed me a greater understanding of the people I saw tending their crops on a daily basis.
I enjoyed the variety of activities and thought the cuy healing was a highlight because I have never seen anything like it.
The coca leaf, tobacco and pisco are viewed as sacred, respected entities that aren’t necessarily abused or consumed in mass quantities. Consumption has been a theme in my mind since arriving here, and being aware of my own consumption is just one aspect of things I have become more aware of.