PREPARATION 2
CELL PHONES & TABLETS
International Rates apply for Cell Phone use.
Check your Cell Phone plan for International Travel specifics.There are international plans available from your mobile carrier, that reduce your cost of direct International Phone Calls and Texting.
It does not cost to receive texts, but costs vary by plan when you send a text, and even more when you send a text with a pic embedded. Be careful.
Look for WiFi apps that allow free use.
There are many apps that allow you to call for an extremely reduced or free rate, when you are on a WiFi network
Internet connected computers may be available in Israel for free or for fee, depending on the Hotel.
And.......
WE STAY AT HOTELS THAT EITHER HAVE FREE WIFI, OR HAVE WIFI AVAILABLE FOR A VERY LOW COST.
So, BRING YOUR IPADs, TABLETS and PHONES.
PRAYER LISTS
Consider generating a computer printed PRAYER LIST in a small font (or just handwrite) then fold or roll it up like a cigarette.
There are lots of places to place your prayer lists in the Holy Land besides the most obvious Western Wall of the Temple.
There are prayer list places at Mt Tabor, in Nazareth at the Home of the Holy Family and other places.
Besides you can always place a prayer list in the cracks of any Holy Site that moves you to do so.
CLOTHING AND WEATHER
WEATHER and temperature will vary while we are in Israel. Jerusalem is on top of a mountain range and is therefore cooler. Jericho, for instance, though close by, is located on the lowest point on Earth, near the Dead Sea and in the Desert, and so warmer. The temperature difference just between Jerusalem and Jericho could be more than 10 degrees.
February is winter in Israel. Warm shirts and slacks are perfect for walking about and visiting the Holy Sites.
A jacket and some accomodation for possible rain, might be prudent
Comfortable shoes with rubber soles are perfect, especially when tackling early morning dew and uneven pavement or terrain.
No leather shoes, they are too slippery on moist surfaces in the event of rain.
NO SHORTS - as there is no entry into any Holy site with shorts.
NO Spaghetti strap tops and NO SLEEVELESS tops.
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Your shoulders and knees can not be visible when entering a Holy Site.
This policy is strictly enforced.
Violators tend to spend lots of time on the bus.
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Expect mid 50s to high 60s or maybe a bit higher throughout the Pilgrimage
Roughly same weather as Los Angeles.
SHORTS are OK for SWIMMING in the Dead Sea, so it is ok to bring a pair for swimming. Modest swimming attire is perfect for that day! Water may be a bit cold.
Our Hotels have swimming pools, and many swim especially in Tiberias.
ORPHANAGE
In Jerusalem there is an Orphanage run by French Nuns.
The orphanage accepts children without regard to health, race, gender or religious belief. Most children are from Muslim or Jewish families that have abandoned them or cant take care of them.
We are all encouraged to bring infant, toddler, and youth clothing as well as adult clothing.
The nuns can also use school supplies and they accept cash or personal checks to purchase the supplies they need.
We ask you to consider bringing donation items in your suitcase on the way over, which when donated, will create the space needed for packing souvenirs on the way back! A Win-Win deal.
We don’t just visit Israel to take away memories for ourselves, we gift clothing and leave a little of ourselves behind to help others who live there. It is a great charitable act, to help those in need.
(Matthew 25:31)
