Written by Mira Zaslove -- originally posted on Quora.com
My husband, Jay and I visited the Israel side of the dead sea last year.
I was 5 months pregnant and he was suffering from a severe allergic reaction to garlic (poor guy). We were staying in Tel-Aviv, and almost didn't make the trip. I'm really glad that we did.
A few things that surprised me about the dead-sea:
1. A 14 lb bowling ball and pregnant woman will float.
It lives up to the hype. I wasn't expecting to float so easily. I figured that it would be buoyant, but didn't expect the weightless feeling. Because the water is about 1/3 saline, many things that don’t normally float, including a 14-lb. Bowling Ball actually become buoyant.
I was feeling weighed down a lot, so the feeling of just floating was awesome.
2. My dorky sandals came in handy.
The salt crystals are surprisingly large and sharp. You could really hurt yourself. Clothes and shoes will feel it after coming out, so wear durable stuff. Flimsy bathing suits and shoes could easily tear.
3. The salt was hydrating. My skin felt smooth afterwards.
I'm a moisturizing fiend, and expected my skin to feel dry and itchy afterwards. After all, isn't salt bad for your skin? Actually, "whether or not a salt is drying comes down to its composition." According to New York dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD: "Ordinary salt is largely sodium chloride, which is very dehydrating...but mineral salt, such as Dead Sea salt, is rich in magnesium and calcium, which improve hydration by strengthening the barrier function of the skin." Sea Salt's Beauty Benefits
4. I felt more svelte. The dead sea isn't a bad place to take photos of yourself in a swim suit.
Ever notice the bloating feeling when you go to high altitude? Clothes, and rings fit more tightly and you feel water retention? I felt the exact opposite at the dead sea. Its surface and shores are 427 metres (1,401 ft) below sea level, Earth's lowest elevation on land. My husband's ring slipped off easily and both of us felt more weightless, even out of the water.
5. My eyes and mouth hated it.
My body and mind loved it. I was feeling great, so decided to dunk my head. I usually love being underwater and I don't mind the taste of salt. But this was a terrible idea! My eyes stung (even when closed tightly!) and the salt tasted disgusting even though I never opened my mouth. Keep your head above water!
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Source: www.quora.com. Link: http://www.quora.com/What-does-it-feel-like-to-swim-in-the-Dead-Sea
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