swimmers between the island

A few weeks ago, several filmmakers from the Dominican Republican came to Little Diomede to film Marcos Diaz swim between Little and Big Diomede. Although I didn't get to meet Marcos, I did get to talk to two of the filmmakers. Their project is called Swim Across the Continents. I enjoyed talking to these amazing guys. Their documentary is meant to "unite the continents in favor of the Millenium Development Goals." You can learn more about this project at their website. The documentary should come out in December.

Marcos Diaz isn't the only one who has been swimming between the islands. About a week ago a herd of walruses was swimming towards the south. After school I received a Skype message from Joe: "Big herd of walruses outside!" Adrienne and I ran outside and headed to the helipad to watch with the others from the village. Some of the men grabbed their guns, but most of the men called to the walruses, which sounds like deep husky hooting. The next day one of my students came to school without any voice because he called for the walruses all evening. Walrus calling brings them closer to the rocks, making it easier to shoot them and pull them up with a lasso around their ivory tusks.

I have a video which I hope to post later this week. Until then, here are some pictures. I can't wait to see the walruses floating on ice floes. The way time flies here, it will be soon...