Packing for a trip to Palestine requires careful consideration, as bringing the right items can enhance your experience while leaving unnecessary ones behind can save space and prevent hassles. Whether preparing for volunteer work, a cultural exchange, or simply exploring this fascinating region, knowing what you won’t need to bring is important. To help you pack wisely, here’s a guide to 10 things you should leave behind when planning your trip to Palestine.

1. Crop Tops and Shorts

This goes for both men and women. Hebron, Palestine, is a culturally conservative city. You’ll find that women particularly dress more modestly than those in the West.

While the hijab certainly isn’t required of you, dressing more modestly will help you avoid dirty looks and fit in more easily. Crop tops, short shorts, halter tops, miniskirts, and anything too tight should probably be left at home.

Many female volunteers wear jeans and a cardigan over their top. While men don’t have to think about dressing modestly as much as women, they should still leave their shorts behind, as they aren’t traditionally worn and may garner some stares.

2. Flask and Shot Glass

Islam traditionally forbids the consumption of alcohol. As a predominately Muslim and fairly conservative city, the shops in Hebron do not sell alcohol. Stores sell various “0% alcohol” malt beverages, but volunteers report that they don’t taste like the real thing.

This doesn’t mean your time in Palestine will be entirely dry; Bethlehem and Ramallah are a short drive away and have bars and restaurants that serve alcohol. Just remember that drinking alcohol is culturally taboo, and over-drinking in a foreign country can put you at risk.

3. High Heels

Sometimes, while walking down the street in Hebron, you may have to walk on the road, gravel or dirt, or avoid rubbish or construction. As such, high heels and any uncomfortable footwear can be a hassle. Men and women should pack comfortable sneakers to walk around the city.

4. Belt

With kanafeh, baklava, shawarma, falafel, and mansef galore, you’ll be eating a lot in Palestine. There are ways to eat healthily, but if you’re not so inclined, you also have plenty of options.

5. Bible (Sort of But Not Really)

Bring your Bible, Torah, Quran, Vedas, Tripitaka, or Dianetics for personal spiritual guidance. Don’t go waving it in people’s faces or shoving it down other’s throats, though.

People take their religion very seriously in Hebron. As such, trying to convince them they are wrong on religious matters is unwise. No one will try to convert you to Islam while you’re in Hebron, return the favor and don’t try to convert them to your religion.

6. Bad Attitude

Traveling overseas can be difficult, especially when the culture of your destination varies from your own. It will require patience, an open mind, and good humor.

Leave your frown behind and keep a good attitude in Palestine no matter what life throws at you.

7. Picket Signs, Gas Mask, Stones

The Excellence Center is an apolitical organization. We’ll teach you about the everyday lives of most Palestinians, which includes the hardships brought on by a conflict with the Israelis.

However, if your goal is to be provocative, join a protest, throw stones at soldiers, or do anything risky, you may want to choose another group to volunteer with.

8. Toiletries

You may want to pack a few days’ worth of shampoo, toothpaste, and soap while traveling and settling. But Hebron has numerous pharmacies and stores with just as many grooming necessities as any other country. Save some room in your suitcase by skimming on these items.

9. 3G or 4G Capable Phone

Currently, 3G and 4G connections are unavailable in the Palestinian Territories. Israel has, for stated security reasons, forbidden the services from reaching Palestinians. In April of this year, an agreement was reached to allow 3G services in the West Bank, but this has yet to materialize. Sim cards are available for phone service in both Israel and Palestine.

Volunteers report their Israeli sim cards working near Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Wi-Fi is also available at the center and the men’s dormitory, so feel free to bring your smartphones, knowing you can access the Internet there.

10. Anything Else You Don’t Absolutely Need

You’ll need the room for souvenirs!

Palestine Would Love to Welcome You

We hope this gives you a better idea of what to pack. Feel free to contact us if you have any further questions. We hope you enjoyed reading the 10 Things to Leave Behind When Heading to Palestine article.

Get Further Information 

For more information, please visit our website: https://excellencenter.org/

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