Dead Sea and the River Jordan

Saturday was awesome! You shall find out why through reading the next few paragraphs and taking a gander at the accompanying photos.

A few of us went on a journey to visit some historical sites and take a dip in El Mar Del Muerto. Or as it is known by the English speaking world: the Dead Sea. We started off the day by meeting up with our energetic driver, Shawki. He knows everything about Jordan and is an excellent tour guide. Our first pit stop was the town of Madaba. It’s an old Christian city with a basilica dedicated to Saint George – the patron saint of England. The town has these old mosaics that date back to the 1400s. I have since learned that mosaics are all the rage here. Personally, I’ve never been a huge fan. I’m not even sure how one gets into mosaics. The only memory I really have of mosaics is an old computer game that was impossible to win and always made me mad. But I have been enlightened and now appreciate them much more.

 Outside the basilica in Madaba

Speaking of mosaics, after visiting Madaba, we stopped by this organization that provides work for disabled Jordanians. We watched them make mosaics (I told you they love them here), and they had some beautiful crafts.

Our next destination was Mount Nebo. The very same Nebo where Moses died  (see Deuteronomy 32:49-50). It was pretty awesome to walk around the same area that Moses had. The Mount itself is not very high, and you can get to the top by car. The view from Nebo was fantastic. You could faintly see Jerusalem, the River Jordan, and the Dead Sea.

 The view from the top of Mount Nebo

On to the most significant site of the journey: the River Jordan. Although no one knows exactly where Jesus was baptized, there are many ancient monuments and churches built around this location that’s been established as the traditional site. It was pretty unreal to be there. Being in this area of the world has brought the life of the Savior closer to my heart. It’s been a great experience that I’ll write about in more detail another time. I loved being around people from all over the world who were all visiting this sacred site.

 Standing in the River Jordan

The traditional site of Christ's baptism

We finished our day with a visit to the Dead Sea. Being from Salt Lake City, I propose we trade the Dead Sea for the Great Salt Lake. Why? 1. The Dead Sea doesn’t smell like an outhouse. 2. You float in the water. Yeah, float! No effort required to keep your head above water to breathe. I usually don’t find swimming as relaxing as most people make it out to be because you have to tread water the whole time to prevent yourself from drowning. I have dense bones, which makes the experience more of an effort for me. Not in the Dead Sea. No arm floaties or water weenies required. 3. The water supposedly has oils that nourish and strengthen your skin. 4. You get to cover yourself in mud. 5. The mud supposedly nourishes and strengthens your skin. 6. You are at the lowest point on Earth. 

 Floating effortlessly in the Dead Sea

Needless to say, I had a blast at the Dead Sea.  We ate at a buffet, floated on the water, covered ourselves in mud, washed off said mud, and then took a dip in the swimming pool to finish it all off. A great time was had by all. Even our driver, Shawki. He just swam in the pool the whole time. I think that’s why he likes to take groups to the Dead Sea.

 I get tan really easily

I’ll finish off this post by listing the very important rules that were on the back of my ticket to the Dead Sea resort I went to. If any of you are planning on visiting the area anytime soon, please take note of these rules (spelling and all):

-Please Keep up the public

-It is just for families

-the administration is irresponsible for the loss of your property

-please don’t sit on she green yards

-don’t enter any kind of animals

-don’t enter tables or chairs or nargniles

-don’t enter balls or bikes

-you will bear the responsibility if you swim after the sunsit

-the ticket just for one use and at the same date

-don’t enter alchoholic beverages pubc

-Prevents swimming for more than 100 meters

Want to know what a nargnile is? So do I.