A group of us flew to Jordan this weekend. We spent a little bit of time in Amman, and then headed out to the Dead Sea. I realized just before we went that I was going to be a lot closer to the West Bank, Israel than I ever thought I'd be. I guess it makes sense that directly across from the eastern banks of the Dead Sea would be a west bank. I just didn't realize that was "The West Bank" I'd be looking across at. 
The resort we stayed in apparently had some of the same apprenhensions. Back in 2005 there was a series of hotel bombings in Amman. Before we could get into the resort complex we had our reservations checked by a security guard to make sure we were supposed to be there. The underbelly of the car was swept for explosives, and then they moved a large steel gate to let us pass. After that there were metal detectors and xrays machines. This apparently is the case at all of the international hotels in the country now.
After the security screenings, we put our swimsuits on and headed down to do what you go there for: floating around in the Dead Sea. It was one of the strangest sensations I've experienced. You're so bouyant in the water that you can "stand up"straight without touching the bottom and have your chest out of the water. You can also float on you stomach and keep your arms, legs, and head above water. I don't recommend tasting the water, intentionally or otherwise. Between the 30% salt content and the other minerals, it'll put a pretty bad taste in your mouth. It feels nice when you floating in it, but after a while, the salt crystals start cutting your underarms, and the burn can be pretty bad. 
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