5 ms·

I had my family stop by a few years ago because I had heard about it in a What-If? https://what-if.xkcd.com/152/ https://what-if.xkcd.com/152/ I wouldn't recom

I had my family stop by a few years ago because I had heard about it in a What-If? https://what-if.xkcd.com/152/ https://what-if.xkcd.com/152/ I wouldn't recommend it. The route we took was through a residential area. The neighbors did not seem like they wanted us to be there. We went to the water's edge, smelled the "objectionable," "noxious," "unique," and "pervasive" odor (as described by the US Geological Survey), looked at the shitty beach, and left. There's not much to do.

MisterTea 5y ago
That's because it's slum tourism and residents hate being the unwilling cast of a sideshow attraction. "Oh honey, look at the locals inhaling the toxic plume wafting off this mess we can safely leave behind forever in a few minutes. Say cheese!" There's a neighborhood by me which has earned a similar reputation and the residents have been known to tell slum tourists to leave. Its gross. Don't do that.
- xeromal 5y ago
  Yeah, most people are there because they grew up there and its their home and most of them are too broke to leave. It's pretty gross. If you want to support the locals, go buy a few dates and gas.
- phlakaton 5y ago
  I disagree. People who don't go to see the Salton Sea and its consequences are free to ignore it. But seeing it will put an likely-indelible memory in your head that will stick with you, and might give you some much-needed context about why people are fighting to do something about it. The key of course, is to travel with respect. Bombay Beach is probably not a place for casual selfies and party times. There is still beauty there, for people who can look past the unpleasant. A state visitor center with the whole wild history of the place. Beaches made out of pulverized tilapia bone and shell. Fields of obsidian. The zonked-out but earnest spirituality of Salvation Mountain. Date shakes from Westmorland. Endless sun.
- krallja 5y ago
  I agree. I didn’t realize before we made the stop that there were still people living there. It felt gross for all the reasons you describe, plus the Salton air.

MisterTea 5y ago

That's because it's slum tourism and residents hate being the unwilling cast of a sideshow attraction. "Oh honey, look at the locals inhaling the toxic plume wafting off this mess we can safely leave behind forever in a few minutes. Say cheese!" There's a neighborhood by me which has earned a similar reputation and the residents have been known to tell slum tourists to leave. Its gross. Don't do that.

xeromal 5y ago
Yeah, most people are there because they grew up there and its their home and most of them are too broke to leave. It's pretty gross. If you want to support the locals, go buy a few dates and gas.
phlakaton 5y ago
I disagree. People who don't go to see the Salton Sea and its consequences are free to ignore it. But seeing it will put an likely-indelible memory in your head that will stick with you, and might give you some much-needed context about why people are fighting to do something about it. The key of course, is to travel with respect. Bombay Beach is probably not a place for casual selfies and party times. There is still beauty there, for people who can look past the unpleasant. A state visitor center with the whole wild history of the place. Beaches made out of pulverized tilapia bone and shell. Fields of obsidian. The zonked-out but earnest spirituality of Salvation Mountain. Date shakes from Westmorland. Endless sun.
krallja 5y ago
I agree. I didn’t realize before we made the stop that there were still people living there. It felt gross for all the reasons you describe, plus the Salton air.