Did you know these 3 things about Jordan?

1. The Dead Sea…isn’t a Sea! and it’s the lowest point on Earth!

It´s a lake that is almost 10 times more salty than the ocean! So salty that plants and fish can´t live in, hence the name. And the mud surrounding its waters is famous for its curative properties.

Due to this salinity of around 35% it is very dense water that you float very easily in. You feel it is difficult to go under water, and people warn you not to put your head under water so guess what I did!? It was painful! I felt a very strong sting in my eyes!

Also, It is the lowest elevation on land at 430.5 meters (1,412 ft) below sea level!

Mud bath with my brother Nate who hosted me too

2. The local headwear: Keffiyeh and Shemagh

These scarves often worn on the head of men in the Middle East are called: keffiyeh/kufiya and Shemagh. Jordan has desert-like weather and these scarves besides being a part of the national identity, provide protection from the sun, wind and dust during the day and useful for warmth when the temperature drops.

The red and white print is famous for Jordan is called a shemagh (pronounced: Shmah) and is a symbol of the countries identity. The black and white print is the Keffiyeh mainly associated with Palestinians.

Approximately 50-60% of Jordan’s population is of Palestinian descent. This is due to multiple waves of Palestinian migration, primarily after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the 1967 Six-Day War, when many Palestinians sought refuge in Jordan.

Red and white is Jordanian, Black and White Palestinian

3. Kiss me Four Times

People in Jordan normally greet each other with four kisses

arab kiss — Picture from: http://trendyfeeds.com/greetings-in-the-world/

“In Jordan, you start with one kiss on the right cheek then 3 kisses on the left cheek. But these 3 kisses have to be separated by 1 second pauses. Sometimes people move their faces 1-2 cm away in that pause then move back in. ”

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