Dr. Bur Shilling

Dr. Bur Shilling

Travel Considerations

Travel Insurance

It is strongly encouraged that each traveler purchase travel insurance either from one’s travel company or personally from the open market. Be sure the insurance covers:

  • A cancellation rider
  • Hospitalization during the trip
  • Additional flights home, if necessary, because of a medical problem during the trip

Passport

If the traveler does not have a current passport, it is necessary to start the process upon registration. This process typically takes 3-4 weeks (perhaps less depending on how busy the department is). Applications can be obtained at one’s local Clerk of Courts.

The application is also available online and the process can be “expedited” (for a fee) if necessary.

If one has never had a passport before or if one’s passport has been lost or stolen, or if the passport was issued more than 15 years ago, the applicant must complete a Form DS11. If a problem arises, contact your congressperson’s office in D.C. and ask for assistance in expediting the process.

Daily Pack

Use a backpack and a fanny-bag during your daily activity in Israel.  You can keep your Bible, notebook, textbook, extra sweater, camera lens, wet-ones, etc. in your backpack—your fanny-bag can keep $$, medication, pen/pencil, billfold, passport, etc. close at hand and protected.

Money $$$ — US currency is accepted nearly everywhere in Israel—however, Israel banks and hotels will not issue US $’s for change.  You will end up with Israeli shekels—it will spend, but don’t get caught with an abundance of foreign currency when you come home.  Money changers are only an Israel phenomenon . 

Credit-cards & personal checks are accepted at most gift shops (I’m not sure about Arab street-shops in the Old City. You may need cash there)—a Credit Card may prevent you from carrying a large amount of cash with you during the day.

BTW, your hotel rooms will have a safe for you to protect personal items while you are out during the day.

SUGGESTION: Some have acquired a new credit card to use only in Israel. This way if it is stolen you can simply cancel the card and all your personal non-Israel purchases will be safe.Shopping

Each traveler may bring up to $800 ($1600 per couple) worth of items back to the US duty free.

You will have to create a list of purchases you are claiming.  You will be given a US Customs form to complete on your flight home.  It will be easier to create this list if you keep an accumulated listing in a notebook during your visit. 

No live plants or fresh foods are permitted back into the US. These will be confiscated at Customs.

NOTE: Items shipped back to the US do not need to be claimed as Customs since you are not carrying them back with you.

Dress Attire

March in Israel should be lovely (but can be chilly). Remember, we will be in very tropical areas and also mountainous regions.

  • Dress in layers—T-shirt, sweatshirt, sweater, Spring coat—this permits you to add or discard layers as the temperature changes. Inside stone churches will be 50˚even during the day. You must realize that the terrain of Israel permits us to be 3000′ above sea level to 1400′ below sea level in a 20-mile expanse.  When it is cool and windy in Jerusalem it may be mild and even hot in Jericho.  We also plan to be at the foot of Mt. Hermon, whose peak is 10,000 ft ASL.
  • Wear a hat—the sun can glare off the sandy desert or water of the Sea of Galilee.  You may want sunglasses as well. 
  • Comfortable All-weather shoes – we may have to walk in the rain. These will protect your feet and socks from getting wet and staying wet all day. Terrain in Israel is varied. Some places have pavement, some cobblestone, lots of inclines, and some goat paths.
  • Long underwear (thin) [optional] – It is possible that Jerusalem could be cold in March. These can help keep you comfortable in cold, damp air.
  • If weather permits, you will have an opportunity to swim (actually, float) in the Dead Sea.  This means you must bring appropriate swimwear (there are modern showers and changing facilities which can be used for a couple dollars at the beach, free in the hotel).  You will need old tennis shoes or some other foot covering to get into the water.  Water shoes work well for this purpose. The mineral edge can cut your feet severely.
  • Water footwear – There also may be an opportunity to travel through Hezekiah’s tunnel in David’s ancient Jerusalem—this requires shoes which can get wet (the tunnel has several inches to waist-high [cold] spring water in the bottom)—perhaps an old pair of tennis shoes. You can discard these when done so you don’t have to take them home with you.
  • We will plan a time for baptisms in the Jordan River. This can be a first Christian baptism or an affirmation baptism. You will need swimwear and foot protection (shoes, water shoes, flip-flops, etc.). You will also need a bath towel. If you intend to be baptized, you need to pack your own bath towel in your suitcase. The Jordan River is very cold in March. It is fed by springs and melting snow from Mt. Hermon.

Packing List

  • Raincoat or Windbreaker jacket
  • Down-hooded jacket that fits in a pouch, scarf and gloves
  • Light-weight zippered jacket
  • Down or Poly Vest
  • 3 pair of lightweight pants, 1 pair of capris, for hot weather
  • 5 short sleeve shirts/ some tank tops
  • 3 long sleeve shirts
  • PJ’s
  • Under garments
  • 3 blk socks, 2 footie socks, 2 white socks
  • Pair of Crocs
  • Comfortable pair of sneakers
  • Water shoes (for Baptism in Jordan River and floating in the Dead Sea)
  • Wash Cloth
  • Sunscreen
  • Bath towel (if you plan to be baptized)
  • Swimsuit / Cover up / Flip Flops
  • Cosmetics / laundry soap / clip hangers (those used to hang skirts w/ swivel hook) to dry washed clothes
  • Converters
  • Neck pillow for the plane ride
  • Snacks for the airport and on the way home
  • Bible, Notebook, Pen or Pencil
  • Bubble Wrap and tape to wrap delicate souvenirs
  • Camera / recorder if you want to record Bur’s lectures
  • Change of clothes in your carry on in case my luggage would get delayed or lighter weight clothes to change into after the plane ride

Personal

  • Electrical converter [WalMart has one: $15.00 ]—your shaver, battery charger, electric toothbrush WILL NOT work on Israel’s current.  Middle-Eastern current is the same as European current, so if you have a converter from Europe it should work. All hotels have hairdryers in the room.
  • Cell phone – your cell phone will not work in Israel without some adjustments. You can purchase a Middle East sim card to install in your phone (contact provider). Your provider may also rent you a phone that can be used in Israel during your trip. Cathy and I have done this for as little as $10.00. Contact your provider for the options you have with your phone. WhatsApp is a cellphone app that you can use to call/text family/friends who have the app downloaded to their phones.
  • Individual cup water heater – prepare hot drinks (tea/coffee bags) in your hotel room. S\ome rooms have tea pots.
  • If you’re addicted to US coffee you may want a morning or evening cup in your room. The hotel and restaurants have adequate coffee, but for the coffee connoisseur you might consider taking your own ground coffee and travel-cup coffee press. Combined with your individual cup water heater (above) this will provide you with the comforts of home.
  • Specialty tea bags–hotels and restaurants have normal black tea bags but anything special will have to be taken with you.
  • Individually wrapped wet-ones packets (like you get at KFC)—these will come in handy when you’re traveling or walking during the day

Misc

  • Video recordings – If you want to purchase a DVD of Israel while in the country be sure the letters “PAL” DO NOT appear on the box—PAL is the video format used in most countries other than the US and will not play on your DVD machine. Most places have both the US and PAL version available.
  • Supplemental textbook – The book, The Holy Land by Jerome Murphy-O’Connor can be a supplement to our textbook. This is an excellent tour guidebook for each location we will be visiting in Israel. It has much more detail than our textbook. You may obtain a copy of this book at any good book store. Check Amazon for pricing and used copies. You might want to check this out at the library before purchasing.
  • SUGGESTION: Go to your public library and peruse the travel books, especially any relating specifically to Israel. Also, books related to Israel: its land and people will be helpful. Look for travelog-type DVDs that introduce you to Israel and its people. Each is done with a different purpose — historical, OT, NT, etc.
  • Read the Biblical Archaeological Review, it is full of information about places you are going to be in just two months. Check your public or church library; you may not need to subscribe (although the subscription is worth it).