Six men stood very still, a rope wrapped ‘round their waists supporting the 25 foot pole they had just lowered in a deep hole filled with fresh cement.

I was thinking my own thoughts, hiking in their neighborhood in Peru’s Sacred Valley to reach the salt mines, when I came upon them.

Not sure who was more startled because my route isn’t exactly a well-traveled tourist road.

These are Quechua people, descended from families in the Andes who were here before the Inca. They hold dear the principle of reciprocity, continually giving to one another, always helping each other. They call it ayni and they really mean it.

That’s why the men of the community were pulling together to erect these poles, and the women were cooking hearty soup to feed them when the rope was loosened.

Electricity could come their way for the first time ever if they put the poles in place.

Could be those neighbors have a clearer world view in their tiny community outside very rural Rumichaka, Peru than pundits, politicians and philosophers in many a great metropolis. Or so I had the opportunity to muse because I had figured out a way to visit Peru to see the famous places, and get myself behind the scenes too.

Big difference seeing the sights or really, truly meeting the people. Getting to know folks matters when they live in the town next door, and it really counts when home is another hemisphere.

I’d been to Peru once before and liked it just fine, but I longed to learn the ideas behind the gentle smiles on so many faces, and to develop energies like the women toting babies or bundles on their backs tied in colorful weavings.

Mountains and churches, survivors of conquest, compelling views through rows of trapezoid-shaped windows, ancient stones stacked so tightly on other stones not a feather could slip in, potatoes of many colors and textures and grains so complex a small serving satisfies.

These are strengths of Peru, and in August I got an up-close touch. Even took 13 friends so I know this works for a group. Here’s how.

Stay a whole week in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a region in Peru that also gives easy access to the bustling beautiful city Cusco and to the fabled Machu Picchu. Allow a few days in each.

That week in the Sacred Valley blended day trips to historic sacred sites with community time to stroll the neighborhoods, meet the people and reflect on the wonder of this world gazing at Southern hemisphere constellations at night and sitting in gardens by day.

Peru is not a place to rush through, better to absorb and reflect.

The gardens of Willka T’ika Guesthouse – which means sacred flower in the Quechua language – are abundant and arranged carefully to claim private time. Friends are easy to find at this guesthouse, in the dining room, cozy library, music room, yoga studio or in front of the living room fireplace, but when I wanted to be alone, that was easy in the gardens.