Dead Sea, Madaba and other fun adventures

So our first saturday in Jordan was a big trip to Madaba, Mt. Nebo and the Dead Sea. I've done all of these things before, but it was really neat to a. return and b. be there with Drew! And Drew had fun seeing some different sites. 

First up was Madaba (which I will be returning to visit on my own probably later on) 

Madaba is famous because it has the oldest recorded map. It's a mosaic from the 4th century AD and shows the ancient world and Jerusalem. 

I had to play paparazzi :P

The map!

Then we were off to some fun adventures driving to Mt. Nebo! Oh man... I forgot how steep the hills are here in Jordan and how there are no guardrails....

But it was still neat to go and visit. Mt. Nebo is apparently where a. when Moses and the others came to the holy land the first time there was the issue with the believing and there was the bronze serpent on the stick and those who believed lived. And then they were told that they had to wander around because of their unbelief. It's also supposedly where Moses died/went up into heaven when the Israelites were finally going to actually enter the promised land. 

A cool overlook of the Dead sea!

This is the Byzantine baptismal site of Christ. 

The church near the Jordan river today. 

Sticking our feet in the icky river Jordan

Bristyl holding cute London as she's playing in the holy water

Overall it was a super fun day. After the baptismal site, we went to the Dead Sea to swim. I don't have pictures from this camera, but I did get some on my waterproof camera. But those won't get processed until I return. Also I still have some photos left that I'm saving for our trip to Petra, Wadi Rum and Aqaba. The Dead Sea was ok...it was weird floating and a bit unpleasant like I had remembered. It was quite funny to see Drew's reaction to the Dead Sea since he had been wondering what the big deal was for it. It was great to see that with him. On the way back I'm pretty sure about everyone fell asleep. It was a long day and the Dead Sea takes things out of you. This was only the first of many adventures I've taken so far in my time in Jordan.