[LUM#5] Like the birds of the sky

[LUM Magazine] - Published on May 2, 2017 in Science-Society

For a year, Anthony Pottier traveled the roads of Latin America by bicycle. He had a unique project in mind: to share his expertise in water management. It was an experience that changed his life.

Not long ago, Anthony was struggling under the sharp peaks of the Andes Mountains, sweating on the white mirror of the world's largest salt desert; climbing South Lipez and its 5,000-meter elevation gain: a pass without a trace of asphalt, just rocks, sand, and above it all, an immense sky. To experience this adventure, he gave up his apartment, sold his car, and left his old habits behind.

"Help, but also meet and learn"

An adventure he wanted to focus on others. With a degree in water science and technology from Polytech Montpellier, Anthony Pottier had one desire: to be useful. "The project went far beyond a simple sporting challenge! The idea was to stop in villages and help communities by contributing my skills in the field of water. This is a crucial issue, as many people in Latin America suffer from insufficient access to this vital resource."

Helping, but also "meeting people, learning, and seeing what tomorrow's world could be like." He speaks simply of "getting involved in local development projects." However, it is not easy to bring your skills to small municipalities that are often poorly organized. The former student therefore calls on his employer, Veolia, to obtain contacts. He spends three weeks in Colombia helping to set up a wastewater treatment plant. He gives his time and shares his knowledge in Ecuador and Peru: wherever his skills and energy can be put to good use.

Liberating experience

Between two projects, he visited Oaxaca and the splendors of Machu Picchu, the glaciers of Peru and Lake Titicaca, the paradisiacal hell of Bolivia without asphalt, and the legendary "Route 40" that crosses Argentina from north to south. "I reconnected with my emotions. I found myself laughing out loud alone in certain situations, with tears in my eyes at the top of some difficult mountain passes. Everything is amplified... everything is more real. There's no faking it anymore."

Alone, but never isolated: " You're never alone when you're on a bike!" he smiles. Creating a buzz everywhere he goes, appearing in the press and on TV news, Anthony Pottier meets lots of people. These encounters are enriching. As he travels along the road, something changes in him, something profound. Living on less than €10 a day? A "liberating" experience, he says. "You don't need anything anymore, nor are you afraid of tomorrow. Sharing, generosity, and mutual aid are part of everyday life: people hand you fruit, water, cakes, sometimes with a 'you would have done the same for me'. My horizons have broadened. I give much more since then..."

Brief, illuminating encounters that leave their mark on him. Anthony had left with grand ideas. After a year on the road, he returns with a wealth of small discoveries. They are the spice of life.

Keywords: water, Students, LUM#5, LUM Magazine, Portrait