Dead sea...it stings.....

So on one of my days of in Jordan I hired a car and driver to take me down to the Dead Sea.  It's about 1400 feet below sea level.  Normal sea water has a salinity of something like 4-5%; the Dead Sea is about 33%. Very little if anything lives in the Dead Sea, and its waters are so corrosive it's not even worth boating there.  I was told boats last no more than a month before they are eaten through. For centuries the Dead Sea has been a destination for those afflicted with skin disorders such as psoriasis. It's muds and salts have theraputic properties. There are signs everywhere, however, that advise bathers not to get water in their eyes.  It's a rather polite and indirect way of saying not to get it in any of the other mucus membranes of the human body.  After only a few minutes I saw children previously awe-struck by the remarkably boyant waters running screaming for the showers.

me

1400 ft. below sea level - yikes!

Floating euros

more of the same - although not shown, I am wearing the same speedo and chain as the gentleman in the foreground.

Amman, Jordan

So I'm in Amman, Jordan for work for a few weeks.  The project is a USAID funded infrastructure improvement/capacity building program.  I'm working on upgrades to two wastewater treatment plants.  Fantastic opportunity to travel.  Jordan has been a wonderfully gentle introduction to the middle east.

Yesterday (Friday, the holy day) I visited what is arguably the most well preserved Roman city in the world-Jerash.  I was hoping to get down to Petra in the south today, but I've only been here three days and I needed a break. It would have been a long, expensive, and tourist-filled adventure. Instead I'll be heading to the Dead Sea this afternoon for a 27% salt-water soak.  I even purchased a little euro-skivvy, one of those religion-revealing bathing suits that seem to be all the rage.  It even came with a gold chain.

Roman Ruins of Jerash



Hadrain's Gate

Main thoroughfare

2,000 year old manhole cover

fountain drain

1st century Starbucks (left) and CVS (right)

Theater

it's official....

So I haven't updated this in a while, so where do I start....

I arrived in the Bay Area at the beginning of October.  Since then, my ski arrived and is nestled snugly next to Kizmuit's boom ('Kiz' for short); final payment has been made on Kiz; the title of ownership has been transferred; she's been insured; and she's officially been granted a slip under my name in the Berkeley marina following a sea-trial and measurement by the marina office.  Still awaiting live-aboard status.  I'm currently living in north Oakland until things go through. 

The so-called sea-trial simply involved motering her over to the marina office under her own power; as the whole boating thing is fairly new to me, I hired some professionals to help.  We had some minor problems, but she's still afloat (long story) and I have to admit I couldn't stop smiling after having her underway for the first time.