A Girls’ Guide to Israel Trips

I’m writing from Jerusalem after a day where I walked where Jesus walked. Wow.

It’s my first trip. I have so many memorable impressions. For starters, Israel is both larger and smaller than I expected. The entire country is the size of Maryland–way smaller than my home state of Texas. The distance from the Mount of Olives to the Dome of the Rock is much smaller than I imagined, but the distance across the Jezreel Valley/Magiddo is greater. I also didn’t realize that a part of the Wailing Wall was for women. All the photos I had seen were of ultra-orthodox men.

I had other unexpected surprises. And so did some of my new friends. So this afternoon I polled some of them and asked them to tell me their tips for other women who travel here. I have compiled a list of what they would tell others that no guide or pastor told them:

. Pack washcloths if you always use them. Many Israeli hotels provide only bath and hand towels. Also tuck some Band-aids into your cosmetic bag. You’ll do a lot of walking, and blisters are nearly inevitable.

. Do not shave the day you go to the Dead Sea. The salt content will make the tiniest nick burn like a fire, sting like a bee.

. If you’re going to Israel during super hot weather, wear sports bras. You won’t feel so hot and sweaty, and you can wash them out in the hotel sink at night so you feel fresh each morning. 

. Take a good guidebook with you to all the sites. We like The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide.

. Read 1 and 2 Samuel and the Book of Matthew before you go.

. Speaking of the Bible, take either a electronic cell-phone version or a compact print one that snaps shut. Carry it in your daily tote bag so you have it everywhere you go. People constantly borrowed mine because they either didn’t bring theirs or they left them at the hotels during the day. (The hotels didn’t provide Gideon Bibles, which would’ve been too bulky anyway). When we went to places such as the Mount of Beatitudes or the village where Mary visited Elizabeth, our experience was made richer by our reading of the text in the setting where it happened. And when we stepped aside into a chapel somewhere, I was glad for a chance to open the Word. 

. When you visit a site, take a picture of the entrance sign and explanatory plaques. That way you’ll remember later what you photographed and can tag pictures intelligently.

. In this part of the world, women wearing sleeveless shirts is considered immodest. (Remember the flap about Michelle Obama’s arms?) Showing the knees is like “flaunting it,” too. It’s OK to expose these parts of the body at normal tourist sites like Masada, but when you enter a church or synagogue, you need to have them covered. Solution: Take long shorts or capris; wear short-sleeved shirts; and pack a super light scarf to carry with you at all times–just in case.   

. Eat the falafel and hummus, but bear in mind that they’re made of chick peas or beans. So you might want to pack some Beano. Our guide recommended against eating these items before bedtime. ‘Nuf said. 

. Speaking of food, go easy on the portions at restaurants. Your server will probably start by placing eight or nine small dishes in front of you. This is only the first course. One or two bites of each will be plenty.  

. Rather than buying bottled water everywhere, purchase a Klean Kanteen (or the equivalent) and tote it. Take it on the plane empty and fill it with water when the flight attendant brings beverages. Everywhere you go you can fill it from a faucet. You won’t pollute with all those plastic bottles, you’ll save money, and it’s easier to hunt for water than find a store where you can buy it.

. If you end up on a tour that includes lots of basilicas and ornate churches that don’t appeal to you (especially because they’re built on the actual places you’d prefer to see), replace aggravation with meditation. Instead of staying on the bus or pacing outside, go in and spend a few moments sitting in quiet reflection. You’ll have little time elsewhere to process all you’re seeing, and these still places can serve to make the overall trip more meaningful.

. Keep in mind this good advice given from a veteran tour guide: Avoid seeing the entire trip only through a camera lens.

That’s all I have at the moment. But feel free to add comments if you have other suggestions for sisters making “the trip of a lifetime.” Shalom!