Has anyone ever told you to go jump in the lake?
In Jeju, an island off South Korea, women who seem to have mermaid genes dive 33 ft. into the ocean from March to June scouring the ocean floor for food.
The women are called haenyeo, and they can hold their breath for several minutes while gathering abalone, shellfish and mollusks.
Before a dive, the women hold hands and say a prayer, asking Jamsugut, the goddess of the sea, for protection and abundance. Then they go deep and shell sea urchins with their bare hands.
When the women come up for air, they send out a fluted whistle to let the others know they are safe.
What was once considered a dangerous and uneducated job is now prestigious, as the women have opened really fresh food restaurants and have a worldwide clientele.
They also don’t believe in having more than enough of anything.
Pic of sea urchin noodles by Hahna Yoon