Leftovers from the Land That Flat Forgot

Hola:
I love this title as it is one of my lasting memories of Aucapata, Cosnipata and Charaj. There is no flat only up or down. The scenery defies description but is always there despite the clouds which always work to change the scene. High clouds (4000 metres) hug the tops of the mountains, while the low ones ooze up from the valleys and over the sides of the hills to quickly blanket the villages in a cold fog. Then it disappears as quickly. Ivar Mendez told us that we would see an unbelievable country-side and he was completely correct.
The people of the three communities welcomed us and valued the lessons in creativity that Joy brought to their children. We loved all the children. They possess a long attention-span, uncluttered by the internet, computers, or TV. They create their own fun with what is available to them. For example one of the favourite games involves strapping empty plastic pop bottles to their feet and having another pull them down the grass slopes beside the plaza. Sort of like water skiing without water or a boat. A crash and laughter always result.
While a lot of time could be spent talking about the problems of nutrition, sanitation, access to services, etc, but there are also many positives. The pigs and horses roaming the streets negate any need for a power mower to cut the grass beside the plaza. The children walk for miles just to get to school and I can assure you that much of that is extremely steeply up-hill. A comparison with a similar sized group of N. American kids would be interesting, but would have to be done before the influence of computers and the internet.
Chaio
Jim