Cooperative Living November/December 2019 - 16

A Lineman's Journal Team leader John Medved's (right) account of the
17-day project that changed many lives
September 4, 2019
We all arrived safe and early at Reagan National Airport. No one encountered
any problems while checking in or passing through security. The whole international flight thing worried me
a little due to the fact several of the volunteers had never flown and most had never been out of the country.
Although we worried a bit, the flight was not delayed due to Hurricane Dorian although we had to fly
around the storm on the way to Miami.
When we touched down, we decided to eat our " last supper " before departing for Bolivia. If the guys
knew what they would be eating for the next three weeks, I believe they would have eaten a bit more.
September 5, 2019
We arrived safely at 1 a.m. and who knew what firsts many would encounter on our first and sleepless
day in Bolivia? After exchanging currency, we rested several hours while waiting for our next flight.
The ticket counters opened at 4 a.m., but I think everyone else got in line at 3 a.m. We barely made our
next flight to Cochabamba; we even cut security.
Once in Cochabamba we boarded a " lay-down " bus; it was like the first-class cabin of a plane, but on a
bus. While traveling to Challapata we encountered a roadblock due to a road dedication/party; the president was even there.
We got off the bus to see what was going on and since we were now close to 14,000 feet, everyone was having a hard time
breathing. Part of the difficulty breathing was due to the culture shock.
Passing through Oruro, we stopped to have dinner with the chief of the Oruro Electric Department. He gave us a few
touristy gifts and then we were on our way.
Once we arrived at our hotel, it was very cold and rainy. The hotel had no heat and not much hot water. The volunteers
were not too happy!
September 6, 2019
Well, the garbage man decided to wake everyone up at 5 a.m. by repeatedly honking his horn. The volunteers were again not
happy, but I thought it was kind of funny. Everyone experienced their first scrumptious
Bolivian breakfast, then we headed off to Coniri for our first project.
It was about a 30-minute drive to the village, a culture shock for a bunch of American
lineworkers. That 30-minute bus ride took us back at least 30 years in time. There
were not many tools and no bucket trucks, but we did have three specific things in our
favor: teamwork, determination and two Toyota Hilux pickup trucks. Those trucks are
the toughest on the planet. Man, I wish they were sold in the U.S.
We used some ingenuity and those tough little trucks to get most of the wire pulled out.
The villagers were very welcoming, helpful and glad we were there.
September 7, 2019
After some fine Bolivian cuisine, a warm shower and an okay night of
sleep, it was back to work. I forgot to mention that the weather has been crazy. It goes
from 60 degrees to 30s and sleet.
The guys did a great job, they pulled up all the primary line and pulled out/up most
of the secondary.
September 8, 2019
What an emotional day! The guys finished up a few loose ends in the morning in
preparation for an impromptu inauguration, which is the official lighting ceremony.
The inauguration was a big
to-do. Locals brought in a band,
a DJ and decorations, just to name a few things. There was not a dry
American eye during this wonderful and surreal experience. I think this is
when the team first bonded.
After the inauguration was over, the celebration started. Everyone was
having a great time; the local lineworkers and American lineworkers
tried using each other's tools.
There was a little time left in the afternoon, so we went to the local market,
which was an experience. Everyone stopped to stare at us.
14 | Cooperative Living | November-December 2019
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