Sea Urchin Warning

It was 2011 that we visited the Dolphin Reef in Eilat, Israel. Too late I saw this sign. 

Note the third warning on this sign: BEWARE OF SEA URCHINS.

In 2009, when we were in Aqaba, Jordan ministering at the church there, we went one day to the Red Sea. I waded out into the water, fell and received more than 100 sea urchin stings, mostly in my knee.  

There is much more to this story. At some point, I am going to write an article and call it "Searchin' for an Urchin." (Thanks, Sylvia Simpson, for the great title.) 

For now, it is enough to say that the "Beware of Sea Urchins" warning is there for a good reason. There are sea urchins in the Red Sea and if you meet one, you will feel the aftereffects of your unpleasant encounter for a good while. (My pain lasted over a month.)

So, a word to the wise is sufficient. If you wade in the Red Sea, watch out for sea urchins. Better yet, just enjoy the view from the beach!  :)