Israel Experience –
Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

 

Helpful Info

Visit the following links for helpful information and current news that is happening in Israel:

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/is.html

Customs & Etiquette

Here are some helpful tips on the customs and etiquette of the Israeli nation:

http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Israel.html#b

Language & Vocabulary

Learn helpful phrases and words for your global experience:

http://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/hebrew.php

Visa Application

No visa is needed for the Israel trip.

Passport

If you do not already possess a valid and up to date passport, you need to apply for one immediately.  The application process can take just 4-6 weeks, but Claudia will need a copy of your passport far before then, so please, do not delay applying for your passport. Also, your passport must be valid for 6 months AFTER your trip date {for example- if your trip is scheduled for March 2014, your passport must be valid through August 2014}. Please make two copies of your passport: One to include with your Visa application and one for Claudia.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Immunizations

We often have students ask if they need to have immunizations for our trips. This is up to you and your health care provider. It is not required. I would highly suggest you check with your health care provider and also with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Medications

If you take prescription medications, I would suggest that you bring them in their original bottles. Store them in a zip-lock bag in your carry-on. This will help you pass through security without any further delay.

Jet Lag

Jet lag can be a real drag. Here are 13 ways to reduce jet lag while traveling:

http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/13-ways-to-avoid-jet-lag/

Travel/Luggage

Please arrive to the airport AT LEAST 2 hours before our flight. Not only will you be checking in with the airline and security, but this time is used to acquaint yourself with your fellow travelers and to be briefed on your global experience.

Tickets will be printed and distributed at the airport, upon check-in. As we have to book our seats as a group, we can only book your ticket for Economy Class. If you would like to upgrade your seat to first class, you must do so at the airport {this is only available if they have open seats and there will be an additional charge}.

I will be giving you luggage tags at the airport {if you are not flying out of GRR then they have been mailed to you}.  Please put these on your luggage.  It will help a great deal when we are trying to find our luggage.  After being up and traveling as long as we will have been, all black, blue or red luggage looks the same.

Please check the luggage restrictions for the airline that your trip is booked through:

United

Delta

US Airways

For a free travel kit, visit:

http://www.freeisraelkit.com/EEK110101A?REF=F

Frquent Flyer Miles

To claim your frequent flyer miles, simply bring your miles card to the airport when checking in. I cannot claim the miles sooner, due to being booked as a group.

Airport Security

As you arrive at the airport and go through security, I would ask that you be extra kind to the TSA workers.  What a wonderful witness you can be to the workers who have a thankless job.

A few things that could help in the speed of going through security would be to:

-Wear slip on and off shoes – put them through the scanner first – that way when they are looking at your other items you can be putting them back on.

-If you are wearing a sweater or jacket, put it in our carryon before getting to the line.

You can get it back out at the gate to put back on to save backup at the scanner line.

-Remove all things in pockets and jewelry. I keep an empty ziplock bag in my carry-on to put these items in. You can get it back out at the gate to put back on to save backup at the scanner line.

-If you are wearing a belt, put it in our carryon before getting to the line. You can get it back out at the gate to put back on to save backup at the scanner line.

-If you are bringing a laptop please remove them from your carry on and put in the tote.

-If you get singled out to be extra checked……..well ………now is really the time to put on a smile and think how safe the trip will be because the TSA is taking extra care of you.

-When we get to any other airports we will want to get to our new gate.   Even if we have a long layover, we will want to make sure we are through all security before we do anything.

-Please remember to hold on to your boarding pass and passport.  Please do not put these down anywhere that someone else can pick them up.

Accommodations

While experiencing Israel , we will be staying at first class world hotels.  Visit the accommodations and the amenities they have to offer:

Royal Plaza

Leonardo Hotel Negev

Ramada Hotel

*Hotels listed above may be subject to change. Please see your itinerary. for updated information.


Shared Rooms/Individual Rooms

You will be assigned a shared room for the global trip. Please let us know if you would like to share a room with someone you know {on your application or by contacting Claudia}.

If you choose to have a private room, the fee is an additional $600.

Extended Trips & Spouses

If you are planning on extending our time abroad, you must contact Claudia immediately, as she will need to make special arrangements for you.

If you would like additional information on how your spouse could join you on a Bglobal Experience, please contact Claudia.

Electricity/Converters

Electricity and outlets differ from country to country. If you are planning on using a blow dryer, curling iron, electric shaver, Ipad, Kindle, etc., you will need to purchase a converter/adaptor. You can purchase this at the following big box retailers, such as: Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Meijer, Walmart, Walgreens or any travel specialty store.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.goisrael.com/Tourism_Eng/Tourist%20Information/Planning%20your%20trip/Pages/Electrical%20Appliances.aspx

Weather

Phones/Apps/Skype

Before planning to use your cell phone abroad, you will need to make sure your phone will work internationally and that you will not be charged roaming rates. This could get VERY expensive.

You may want to set up a Skype account.  This is a great and reasonable way to call home.

Here are some of my favorite smart phone apps while traveling:

China Daily            mPassport shanghai            mPassport Bejing            American              Fly Delta             China Airlines

Continental            Air Canada            BA            Lufthansa            United             Gate Guru             Seat Guide             Flight Tracker Pro

Skyscanner            My TSA             Cultures            Translate             BLB – Blue Letter Bible             Converter             Translator

Geocaching              ICE 4 TRAVEL            Help Call         iFirstAid Lite       UV Detector

Social Media

However you stay connected with your friends and loved ones through social media, we got you covered.  We suggest you and your “followers” connect with us on one or more of the following social media networking sites. We’ll be posting status updates and pictures throughout your trip. A great way to keep connected!

Facebook                   Google+                       Twitter                             Flickr

Dress Code

There will be three dress categories as we travel. You will see on the itinerary what is listed as the dress for each day. Please see below for the dress specifications:

Business:
Men:  Shirt, tie and jacket
Women:  Suite dress or slacks

Business Casual:
Men:  Dress shirt
Women:  Dress or slacks

Casual:
Both:  You can wear your jeans and/or  your casual clothing.

*No denim or jeans are to be worn for Business or Business Casual.

*Women please know that on some of our Religious sites, women must have arms covered and dresses must be below the knee in many of them.  Last year we had a women who had to wear a blanked wrapped around her legs and shoulder (not a great look).  So you might want to plan according. 

Business Cards

You may want to bring your business card to pass out to the business leaders that we meet.  They are also helpful to have to pass out to one another on the trip.

*Remember if you give or take a card from someone, you do not put it right into your pocket.  You take it in both hands till you walk away from the person you are talking with.  Thanks for remembering this!

Tipping

On our trip we normally let the group know that it is customary to TIP any bus drivers and guides that we have.  So I just wanted to let you know the amount I would suggest…….but please know that this is at your own discretion.

If you are pleased with the tour, you can tip $2-$5  to the tour guide for a full day tour, $1-$2 to the driver. So if you have a single guide for 10 days, you will want to tip the guide $20.00-$50.00; and the driver $10.00-$20.00; $30-$70 total for both.

For the China trip we will have a single driver and guide with us every day.  I normally will collect the money at the first of the week and then give it to the guides and drivers on the last day.  Hope this helps in your planning.

Money/Currency/Credit Cards

China’s national currency is called the Yuan. Exchanging currency is very easy in China. You will find places to exchange in your hotel {or close to}, in the business districts and the airport. I would not recommend exchanging in the airport when we land. The exchange rate is typically higher and we will want to not delay in the airport after such a long flight. You may want to check with your bank on their exchange rate {some have a very low or no exchange fee}.

Credit cards are widely accepted, but I would suggest to only using them at established stores. Prepaid credit cards are a very good idea. You will need Yuan for the street vendors and markets.

Currency Converter


Shopping


IDAN Hand Crated Jewelry:

Last year the group ordered some items from him.  We do it once we are in Israel.  He will come to us.  It is done in just a few days.  And we will get it before we leave Israel.  Please do not feel like you have to order, but you might want to.  He takes US dollars. Visit the link to see his jewelry: http://www.idanjewelry.com/cat.asp?catid=14


Snacks

While the food is amazing in Israel we suggest that you bring a long some AMERICAN snacks.  A power bar, hard candy, trail mix, etc.   There is a grocery store very close to our hotels.  This will help if you want to stop and pick up some pop or water.  The bottled water is much cheaper in the grocery store over the street vendors {only drink bottled water}.


Walking & Getting Around

In Israel we tend to do a lot of walking and jumping on and off the train/plane.  I would suggest that when you start to think of what to pack you think of your feet.  I would suggest that you bring shoes that are comfortable to do a lot of walking in.  Please wear good tennis shoes or a hiking shoe for when we are visiting the many Biblical sites, as the walking will be on uneven rocks.

Also, if you can, I would suggest that you start walking now to get ready for this trip.

Did I mention that we will be doing a lot of walking and good shoes are a must?!


Security/Pick Pockets

Pick-pockets are all over in Israel, especially at the areas of high sightseeing.   We will need to remember that when we are out and about.  Several years ago, while we were there, I watched my friend Doug get pick-pocketed, without even knowing it.  So keep your money, credit cards and passports in an area that no one can get to.  For tips visit:

 http://seniortravel.about.com/od/travelsafety/a/pickpockets.htm  

http://www.thelongestwayhome.com/blog/how-to-guides/day-of-the-pickpocket/


Mandatory Reading

Books –

  1. Livermore, David A. (2010). Leading with Cultural Intelligence: The New Secret to Success. ISBN: 978-0-8144-1487-3
  2. Senor, Dan. Start-up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle. ISBN: 978-0-446-54146-6

Links –

  1.  Israel 101 Booklet LINK- – http://www.cufi.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Israel_101
  2. Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Web Site – –

http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/facts%20about%20israel/2010edition/

3. CIA Website – –

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/is.html

OPTIONAL RESOURCES –

History Channel videos – –

  1. http://www.history.com/videos/harold-the-great-builds-the-temple-mount#harold-the-great-builds-the-temple-mount
  2. http://www.history.com/videos/harold-the-great-builds-the-temple-mount#inside-herods-temple
  3.  http://www.history.com/videos/first-water-moving-system-invented#first-water-moving-system-invented


Web Resources

Jewelry

Participants in previous years have ordered jewelry from IDAN Hand Created Jewelry and have been quite pleased. Once in Israel, IDAN will come to us to see if anyone would like to place an order. The order will be processes and ready before we leave for home. They will accept US Dollars and shekel. Please do not feel like you have to order

Baptism

While in Israel we will be taking a trip to the Jordan River.  If you are interested in being baptized while being there, the opportunity will be made available. We were able to do it on our last trip to Israel and it was a very moving time in my life.

The cost is about $10 USD for this.  It does include a certificate stating that you were baptized in the Jordan.

A white robe is rented to wear for the baptism. This robe becomes see through when wet, so you will want to wear a swimsuit or shorts and a t-shirt. If you would like to purchase the robe, you may do so for a minimal extra fee.

I would suggest you wear some sort of water shoe that will help you not slip on the rocks.

Think about it, pray about it and let me know on the trip if that is something you would like to do.

Stations of the Cross

Here is a website you might want to check out.   We will not be stopping at each Station of the Cross, but thought you might want to see what each one stands for: http://www.itsgila.com/biblerefsviad.htm

The Dead Sea

While in Israel, we will take a trip to the Dead Sea. You will have the opportunity to swim, or float, in the sea. Because of the sea’s high salt content, I would highly suggest you bring an old swim suit to wear. Water shoes are also recommended for this excursion.  Please remember to not wear ANY jewelry into the Dead Sea or bring in any type of electronics. Your items could possibly disintegrate if submerged into the water.

For more information on the Dead Sea, please visit:

http://www.goisrael.com/Tourism_Eng/Tourist%20Information/Discover%20Israel/Geographic%20Regions/Pages/The%20Dead%20Sea%20General%20Info.aspx  

Scripture Readings

Scripture
Mt Carmel 1 – Kings 18: 16-39

Nazareth – Luke 4: 14-30

Sea of Galilee – Matt. 14: 22-33 and Mark 4: 35-41

Capernaum – Matt. 4: 12-13 and Matt. 8: 5-17

Mt. of Beatitudes – Matt 5: 3-12

Hill Side by the Sea of Galilee – John 6: 1-14

Wedding at Cana – John 2: 1-11

Jordan River – Matt. 3: 13-17

Jericho – Joshua 6: 2-5, 15-20

Mt. of Temptation – Matt. 4: 1-11

Gethsemane – Matt. 26: 36-46

Western Wall – Ps. 122: 6-9

Upper Room – John 20: 19-30

Garden Tomb – John 20: 1-9

Steps of Temple – Ps. 125

Bethlehem – Micah 5:2

Church of the Nativity – Luke 2: 4-7

Sheppard’s Field – Luke 2: 8-20

Joppa/Jappa – Jonah 1: 1-17

Eastern Gate – Ezekiel 44:1-4

Caiaphas House – Mark 14: 52-65

Megiddo (Armageddon) – Revelations 16:12-16

Sample Itinerary