Sitting at the top of 4600 meters (=15000 ft or half of Everest) I had a moment to reflect on all that I have seen along this trek...Let me tell you a story about their lives. These Quechua people basically have what they provide for themselves. At the home we visited, was a family of 5. A woman who owned the home and then her sister with her 3 children. The oldest child was not home as he is 7 and walks 2 hours to school every day. The children (Christian was the boy's name, but I don't remember the little girls name?) were so happy and excited to see us. I gave little Christian a mandarin orange and he was so happy. He wouldn't put it down.
The family let us into their single roomed home, picture this: one end is the kitchen, pots and pans stored on the ground and the fireplace where they will cook all of their food. The roof of the house is black from the smoke of the fires. All along the edges is their storage and anything to be kept dry surround the main part of the home. On the opposite end of the home is a leveled room. No doors, we could just see the bedding. There are guinea pigs, cats and dogs that all share this with the family. The Coy/ guinea pigs are one of the healthiest meats and although they are pets now, will one day be consumed by the family. Hanging from the ceiling of the home was meat from animals, the neck and ribs of an alpaca, etc. You can't even begin to describe how humbling this family's home was.
As our group sat around the edges of the inside of the home, Johan told us about their lives. What makes these people happy and how the continue to live their life in such a simple way. I remained speechless and was touched and changed in ways I don't think I have been in a long, long time. The Quechua people are some of the least selfish people around. In their communities everything is shared. Everyone contributes to the work. If they are going to build a home for a new couple, everyone comes and helps. If they need help with their farms, everyone contribues. Johan said that the government has tried to help them and make their communities 'more modern', but that it never took for them. Because they don't view life as we do. They don't understand all that we know and for that matter, don't need all that we have.
When did we become such a selfish people? I am definitely not saying that I would prefer to live like they do, but it humbles me and helps put into perspective the things that I need to better myself; more giving and willing to help others. I don't need as much as I think to survive. I do not pity these people in the slightest. I respect them for who they are and how they continue to raise their families and live their lives. These people truly are what makes the Spirit of the Andes.
