The Dea Sea

On Friday morning, my friends and I visited the Dead Sea. The trip took us out of Jerusalem, passing several Palestinian and Israeli settlements, and skirting the West Bank. The Dead Sea is the lowest terrestrial point on the earth about 420 metres (1,378 ft). The drive was through an expanse of barren terrain with sparse agriculture and rigid, carved canyon walls. As you descended from the hills of Jerusalem, there were signs demarcating the drop in elevation.

The Dead Sea’s source waters are the Jordan River as well as above and subterranean rivers. There are no outflows for the Dead Sea, in fact, due to the climate and high temperatures; the average “sea” level is maintained exclusively by evaporation. Hence there is a high concentration of minerals including magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium chlorides, and bromite. To this effect, the Dead Sea is about 30% “saltier” than average ocean water. Furthermore, the concentration ratio of minerals to water is about 33% thus increasing the density of the solution. The increased density translates as in increase in buoyancy.

The water has a thick, albeit oily texture, and it is warm like a freshly run bath. In contrast the oppressive heat of the day, the water is as mildly refreshing as traversing from a dry to a wet sauna. What is most notable and remarking is the aforementioned buoyancy of the water for one effortlessly floats. In fact, one can stand perfect inverted and continually float. Mind you, any cut or scrap on your body is immediately highlighting and it brings new meaning to the phrase, “Putting salt on a wound.”

Due to the high mineral concentration, the Dead Sea has alleged therapeutic value. The mud of the sediment along its coastline is supposed to be an excellent exfoliator as well as detoxifiers. We swam along the shoreline until we located the telling stratus of the mineral-rich mud. Digging into the sloping cliff wall, one collects the mud and proceeds to coat one’s body. Any opportunity to get immersed in mud is an opportunity worth taking.

After rising off in the Dead Sea and the nearby freshwater showers, we proceeded to Jericho, a biblical city currently within the border of the West Back. At the checkpoint, we were turned away for according to the Israeli guard, the Palestinian Authority does not permit Jews within its borders.

Speaking of security, note the picture of the gray wall with the tower in front of building complex. This is the border crossing from the West Bank to Israel. The building complex is a Palestinian settlement and the wall was designed to deter sniper fire from the settlement to the cars at the border crossing. Terror deterrence is deeply imbedded into the Israeli culture. Not only are there are fully armed soldiers, police, and guards patrolling the city, but at the entrance of every mall, restaurant, office building, or public area, there are security checkpoints for weapons and bombs searches.