We attended the Eskimo Dancing last night. Finally the weather was good enough so people could get outside. Still it was very cold. Tom first drove over with Liz, and Charlie and I started out walking. I would say the distance is maybe three football fields - however, the temperature was extremely low. One gets cold quickly. So Tom came back to pick up Charlie and then returned to get me - maybe halfway there. It was so cold.

So much attention - the Chevak kids kept coming up wanting to compare our looks with Elizabeth and Charlie - comparing eyes and chins and noses. Everyone wanted to know how old they were and their names. It was a lot of fun introducing them to all the folks. Many were amazed that they spent their Christmas up here. Right now Tom has taken Liz for a trip to the dump and the store and some other places - like a tourist view of the village. Today I am posting a few photos we have taken this week. The first few are of the Eskimo Dancing last night.


The first part of the evening the kids dance by grade level. The males use feathers in their fans and the females use fur.



Drumming is serious business. That is John Pingayak in the center - he is well known throughout Alaska for his knowledge of Cupi'k native culture. The older man on the other side of him is David Boyscout - one of our village elders.



Virgil is a great kid and a great reader!



This child was just too beautiful - her headdress is a real heirloom.



This last photo is interesting - the one girl has on high tech reflective boots while the other has on hand made boots - of seal skin, fur, etc.




Here are the Benders - relaxing.


Charlie took this just outside the village. Pretty lonely looking.


Another view of the tundra.


The way the wind blows the snow makes for some interesting architecture.