hey-- i am going on a 6 week trip to israel- and i leave in a month!! my question was: can anyone offer suggestions for packing( the company gave me a list but they use general things like "hiking clothes: 2 sets&quot... i will only have the chance to do laundry every 2 weeks, and i won't be staying in hotels at all.... i will be traveling on israir, with the groups bags all checked, so that isn't an issue. I haev been allowed 2 bags of 50 lbs each-- but i dont want to carry that much... i will haev free time to go buy more stuff if i need, but although israel is certainly not third world, i want to be set without bothering my counslers.... i can post the packing list given, if u want but, any help would be awesome!!

Are you going on a camping trip? Where? Like "summer camp?" And there is no laundry?

If you can only get laundry done every 2-wks be sure you have enough underwear for that amount of time (plus some extras just in case). You can also do your own laundry if you absolutely have to, so pack some laundry soap. For a 6-wk trip, with laundry only being done every 2-wks, you need 3-wks worth of clothing which you'll just rewear every few weeks.

You certainly don't want 100-lbs of luggage; you can get all you need in under the 50-lbs. Besides, you're traveling in summer, so the clothing you'll be packing is lightweight.

As for hiking, where? And, again, since it'll be hot, you should only need shorts and t-shirts and good hiking boots (which I'd suggest you wear, as they're heavy to pack). If you'll be out in the desert, the nights can likely get cold, so have, at least, a windbreaker and a few thermal-t-shirts.

Do pack a few pair of long pants and shirts with short sleeves; sandles and closed running shoes. If you're female, pack a skirt or two, also with blouses/shirts with short sleeves.

Though you can probably find just about anything in Israel, you might find some items can be expensive. So, if you already have whatever, take your own.

And, please, do pack your belongings in a duffle-type bag with built-in wheels. It'll be easier to get around the airports and elsewhere.

Hope this helps.

hiking though the negev actually,.. i wasn't planning on bringing hiking boots-- just really good sneakers, which will be my main shoes plous a relaly nice pair of sandals

3 weeks of clothing sounds nice on paper- but how am i supposed to pick which of my stuff makes 3 weeks!@ ( argg...)

a skirt of 2 likely won't be enough- i need skirts for shababt services adn a lot of trips..

so right after i posted my plea for help i realized the packign list is double sided( i know- dumb ) it says " you shoudl haev a total of 6-9 outfits"-- exactly what u guys have been saying

i haev a pretty big duffle at home.. but i ahev to bring a sleeping bag and some arts stuff etc-- do u think one big duffle with a sleeping bag in it will give me enough room, or shoudl i use the 2 bags i am allotted? i will be the one tocarry my luggage( i am 1 16 yr old 5'1 teen)

Will you be able to rinse out any clothes during the two weeks between laundry? If so, you might try some quick drying skirts and pants. If you live near a camping store, like REI, take a look at what they have.

Don't take 100 pounds though. Bring things that you won't mind wearing a couple of times.

CW

Well, you answered some of your own questions. So do pack the needed skirts and appropriate clothing for when needed.

I mentioned hiking shoes, but good runners will work just as well.

Are there any other friends who will be on the same trip? What are they packing/bringing? If so, put your heads together and decide what you "must have." Believe me, when I was 16, I packed my entire closet whenever I went anywhere. Not very smart and certainly don't do that these days. It's not necessary, and I can promise you, even with less than 50-lbs (you can pack all you need in less than 40-lbs), you'll return with a few items never being worn. Been there, done that!

So, do not pack more than what fits in a "rolling duffle bag" - you are too small to handle anything more than this on your own. And leave room for souvenirs to bring home. At the airports you'll find luggage carts to get your bags to/from whomever is picking you up or dropping you off - either at home or in Israel.

I wouldn't use the type of duffle as found in an Army/Navy store, rather find one at TJMaxx, Target, even Costco or Sam's Club... a 28" duffle w/ wheels at about $25/$40 will hold all you need.

Have no idea how big/bulky/heavy is your sleeping bag, but if it doesnt fit into the rolling duffle, it can be your second piece of checked luggage (and won't weight much).

Also, have a carry-on bag for the plane with a change of clothing (you never know when luggage gets lost or delayed), miscellaneous other - your art supplies); this shouldn't be too big or too overloaded/heavy, as you have to place it in the overhead bin. Keep your personal documents - plane tickets, passports, money, medicine, jewelry (not the expensive stuff - costume). These are the ones you have to keep with and have your eyes on at all times until you get where you are staying and can secure your belonging safely.

You'll love Israel.

The 'good' sandals are for Shabbat. You also need good walking sandals, like Teva. Hope that those sneakers have good thick soles. Lots of rocky paths in the Negev.

Quick dry panties are easy to rinse out. I really don't think that you need 3 weeks worth! 7 pair that you rinse out every 3 days or so will be more than enough.

Make sure you have enough socks for the walking shoes! It's hot here and your feet will sweat.

Don't forget: Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen!! Those 3 items can make or break your trip in Israel!

I agree absolutely on a wheeled bag. Also in BG Airport there are always more than enough luggage trollies. Don't worry about that.

If you can get hold of a micro-fiber summer weight sleeping bag, they weigh nothing and are small.

Bring 'training' (athletic suits?) for sleeping rather than pj's - there will most probably be a lot of visiting around at night.

Welcome and have fun!

thanks so muhc for all ur tips...not only did i remeber to buy sunscreen but i haev insect repellent!!

does anyone haev any suggestions for the most efficient way to pack a duffle... i will be living out of it, so things need to be handing, but it needs to be evenly packed... we haev a abig duffle for the attic that i can manage, but it has no inside pockets or anything...

thanks-- i am sure i will haev a fantastic time!!!

o.. 2 things i forgot to reply to:

i alwasy sleep in shorts adn a tank top... anyone coud come in like that!

i am not worried about BG airport.. its the trips while in israel, from where i slept to the bus , up stairs adn stuff, i shlepp the bag all over israel!

There are inexpensive duffle bags that zip all the way down rather than top loaders.
They are *much* more convenient.

Keep items organized using plastic bags:
panties in one bag
socks in another bag
toiletreis in another bag
t-shirts in another bag
and so on.

That way it is easier to pull out just what you want.

Packing is best done by rolling not folding camping type clothes. Your good clothes should be rolled with dry-cleaners nylon bags to keep the wrinkles out - as much as that is possible in a duffle

Try to take non-wrinkle clothes for Shabbat, but cottons not synthetics for the hiking.