Floating in the Dead Sea

Yes I succumbed to the usual tourist photo shot floating in the Dead Sea reading a book, my very own bible, the lonely planet version. Nothing compares to this type of floating or the sensation of being stung by fire ants while sitting in the salty water. At least I didn't shave before jumping in, but I did fall backwards at one point and the salt stung my eyes. Floating in the Dead Sea is not an experience I cared to carry on for more than about 5 minutes because of the harsh water.

The Dead Sea comes from the Jordan River water, but due to the lack of an outlet flow for the water and hot conditions, the water evaporates leaving the concentrations of minerals to build up over time resulting in a 30% salt concentration. The evaporation has increased in recent years due to the presence of dams that prevent the continued flow of water from the Jordan River. But the Dead Sea is now drying up and causing sink holes to emerge from the unstable grounds that have arisen from the lack of salt water covering the grounds. Tourism still flourishes despite the receding water lines and increasing number of sink holes.

To top off a trip to the Dead Sea, I slathered mud all over me to capture all the good nutrients in the mud. This reminded me of the times my family would go up to Calistoga Springs and do the same there.