A Day at the Spa

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For geophiles or fact-worshippers, the Dead Sea is the lowest point of elevation on Earth. As a result, the body of water in this area produces little if any life and is literally saturated with salt and hence, the name, "Dead" Sea.

The mud around the Dead Sea is filled with rich nutrients...minerals that have all sorts of healing properties. The procedure upon arrival was very civilized to say the least. After donning our fashionable bathing suits, we headed to the beach and then proceeded to cover ourselves in the luxurious mud. We then walked around and giggled profusely as the mud dried and became quite silly throwing the mud at each other and also ensuring that there were no stones left "unturned"!

When we went in the water the strangest sensation came upon all of us...we literally were held up in the water and floated! No matter how hard I struggled to go on my stomach or submerge my body, it kept flipping me onto my back! The roar of giggles when everyone first entered the water was very childlike and fun because the reaction was consistently the same...it was so nice to see so many adults wandering about the beach and the water being silly and having such a grand time!!! There were no nationalities in the water that day...everyone was just a buoyant five year old!

Eventually the mud dissipated and when we were all done with our floats we headed up to a swimming pool filled with natural spring water and enjoyed the sensation of a "spa" treatment courtesy of Mother Nature herself! The colour of the water is quite lovely as you can see from the pictures.

Today, I headed up north to Jerash, which contains some of the best ancient Roman ruins in the Middle East...those pesky Romans sure got around but the results in "Jerasa" were stupendous to say the least! I also had the opportunity to go to the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the River Jordan. All claims are steadfast to this one particular site and as we drove there and looked at the soaring hills of dry, dusty mountains and plains, I am quickly reminded that so much of this land has significant links to the Bible. When I put my hands into the River Jordan I was somewhat transformed when I imagined, that precise spot or not, this was the baptismal river referred to in so many sources of literature and music. It was profound and moving to say the least.

Tomorrow, I travel to Amman and have a bit of "r and r" before I head to the Israeli border. Now, my pilrimage truly begins...

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Comments

[Jude]

A Day at the Spa
Ahhhhhhhhh I wish I was there with you, I'd Love to walk in those Sacred Places and "float like a 5 yr old" in the Dead Sea, awesome Kevin!! So excited every time I read your Blogs, so happy for you too. luv Jude