Supply Lists
I'm going to share with you an acronym my calculus teacher used: KISS. Keep It Simple, Stupid. You don't need anything overly fancy when you pack. Makeup, if any, should be the bare minimum; no bling, no fancy-schmancy clothes. Keep it simple, stupid.
Unless otherwise specified, pack clothing for about two weeks (this is operating under the assumption that with about 80-100 people, laundry will need to be done at least once a week and possibly in shifts).
Always remember: If you can't fit it all into ONE suitcase and ONE backpack, you're probably packing too much! And make sure that any clothing you bring--even the one nice outfit(s)--can handle wear and tear. You're not there to dress to impress, and you can buy replacements while in Israel...but try not to need any.
Basic List
- t-shirts
- jeans (2-3 pairs)
- socks (if bringing boots for hiking, bring an additional few pairs so you can double up...this saves wear on your feet and can keep you walking longer, even if it is hot)
- underwear
- hiking boots/good walking shoes (at least 2 pair, broken in--you don't want to deal with breaking in shoes while there!)
- bathing suit
- sun hat (something you can work in, too)
- towels
- camera
- sunglasses (also bring a spare if you can fit it)
- shorts (for Sde Eliyahu, this is for when you're off the kibbutz)
- light jacket--it isn't going to get cold enough March-August for anything heavier, not for more than a night or two
- pajamas
- canteen/water bottle (absolutely indispensable; MAKE room if you have to for this)
- strong sunscreen (and if you can fit it, lotion with aloe for when you inevitably get sunburned. Because you will.)
- day pack
- sandals (NOT flip-flops!)
That's it for the basic list. Here are my additions:
- adapter
- transformer (current in Israel is 220 volts and 50 cycles--and I am not going to pretend I know what cycles mean)
- laptop lock (which is a great idea for university, too)
- hair dryer (I'm personally not bringing one, because wet hair does dry on its own, and though thick, my hair's short)
- tape/CD player (also not bringing, since I'll have my laptop)
- headphones (as needed)
- money pouch (something you can hang around your neck, under your shirt. This should also hold a copy of your passport and visa)
- COPIES OF YOUR PASSPORT AND VISA--be sure to keep one at the kibbutz, separate from the originals, and one with you at all times
- prescription meds (this is where overpacking comes in handy. Have a few extra days' worth in case of an emergency)
- specialty soap/shampoo if you have allergies--otherwise, you can buy it in Israel
- cell phone (for those who have not received an e-mail from IsraelPhones, e-mail them at info@israelphones.com for service plans and questions; also call your company to see if your SIM card will allow you to use the phone in Israel. If not, you can buy a phone and a plan at the airport when you arrive)
- sleeping bag
- paper journal + pen/pencil
- mini-locker for valuables/suitcase lock
- anything you need that you know you CANNOT get in Israel
- map of Israel (always nice to know where things are)
If you forget anything, don't worry. You can buy it there or ask to have it delivered to you at the ulpan. If it's nonessential, it's only for five months. If you feel you MUST have pork jerky or something and then forget it (despite triple- and quadruple-checking like I know you did, because I told you to), it is NOT the end of the world.
In my last post, I mentioned that anything you need to order online must be ordered by two-and-a-half weeks to your deadline. The adapter/transformer and laptop lock are the items that you will most likely need to order online. You WILL need to allow them time to arrive and be tested at least three different times if possible.
I'm going shopping for what supplies I need from this list today after I donate blood, and if I can't find them today, I'll probably be ordering them online because I only have a vehicle if I get up at a ridiculous hour of the morning (like today).
On an unrelated note, my visa took only two days to process and get to me. It may be our relative proximity to Washington, DC and therefore that particular consulate, but wow. That was...way faster than I expected. Even when I was told it could be mailed I thought the processing and mailing would take at least a week, if not more. Those guys are really efficient!
Coming Up
-answers to questions from readers and from my own preparations that have not yet been answered (probably coming tomorrow or the day after)
-Hebrew alphabet guide (Do you guys want this?)
-reading list
-brief 'tour' of Israel as a whole, including a history lesson
Unless otherwise specified, pack clothing for about two weeks (this is operating under the assumption that with about 80-100 people, laundry will need to be done at least once a week and possibly in shifts).
Always remember: If you can't fit it all into ONE suitcase and ONE backpack, you're probably packing too much! And make sure that any clothing you bring--even the one nice outfit(s)--can handle wear and tear. You're not there to dress to impress, and you can buy replacements while in Israel...but try not to need any.
Basic List
- t-shirts
- jeans (2-3 pairs)
- socks (if bringing boots for hiking, bring an additional few pairs so you can double up...this saves wear on your feet and can keep you walking longer, even if it is hot)
- underwear
- hiking boots/good walking shoes (at least 2 pair, broken in--you don't want to deal with breaking in shoes while there!)
- bathing suit
- sun hat (something you can work in, too)
- towels
- camera
- sunglasses (also bring a spare if you can fit it)
- shorts (for Sde Eliyahu, this is for when you're off the kibbutz)
- light jacket--it isn't going to get cold enough March-August for anything heavier, not for more than a night or two
- pajamas
- canteen/water bottle (absolutely indispensable; MAKE room if you have to for this)
- strong sunscreen (and if you can fit it, lotion with aloe for when you inevitably get sunburned. Because you will.)
- day pack
- sandals (NOT flip-flops!)
That's it for the basic list. Here are my additions:
- adapter
- transformer (current in Israel is 220 volts and 50 cycles--and I am not going to pretend I know what cycles mean)
- laptop lock (which is a great idea for university, too)
- hair dryer (I'm personally not bringing one, because wet hair does dry on its own, and though thick, my hair's short)
- tape/CD player (also not bringing, since I'll have my laptop)
- headphones (as needed)
- money pouch (something you can hang around your neck, under your shirt. This should also hold a copy of your passport and visa)
- COPIES OF YOUR PASSPORT AND VISA--be sure to keep one at the kibbutz, separate from the originals, and one with you at all times
- prescription meds (this is where overpacking comes in handy. Have a few extra days' worth in case of an emergency)
- specialty soap/shampoo if you have allergies--otherwise, you can buy it in Israel
- cell phone (for those who have not received an e-mail from IsraelPhones, e-mail them at info@israelphones.com for service plans and questions; also call your company to see if your SIM card will allow you to use the phone in Israel. If not, you can buy a phone and a plan at the airport when you arrive)
- sleeping bag
- paper journal + pen/pencil
- mini-locker for valuables/suitcase lock
- anything you need that you know you CANNOT get in Israel
- map of Israel (always nice to know where things are)
If you forget anything, don't worry. You can buy it there or ask to have it delivered to you at the ulpan. If it's nonessential, it's only for five months. If you feel you MUST have pork jerky or something and then forget it (despite triple- and quadruple-checking like I know you did, because I told you to), it is NOT the end of the world.
In my last post, I mentioned that anything you need to order online must be ordered by two-and-a-half weeks to your deadline. The adapter/transformer and laptop lock are the items that you will most likely need to order online. You WILL need to allow them time to arrive and be tested at least three different times if possible.
I'm going shopping for what supplies I need from this list today after I donate blood, and if I can't find them today, I'll probably be ordering them online because I only have a vehicle if I get up at a ridiculous hour of the morning (like today).
On an unrelated note, my visa took only two days to process and get to me. It may be our relative proximity to Washington, DC and therefore that particular consulate, but wow. That was...way faster than I expected. Even when I was told it could be mailed I thought the processing and mailing would take at least a week, if not more. Those guys are really efficient!
Coming Up
-answers to questions from readers and from my own preparations that have not yet been answered (probably coming tomorrow or the day after)
-Hebrew alphabet guide (Do you guys want this?)
-reading list
-brief 'tour' of Israel as a whole, including a history lesson