How did I go from overpacking to just right?

We went on Birthright last summer. They sure ask you to take a lot of things with you. On one hand, I understand since it’s going to be hot and you’re not going to have a ton of downtime, you’re likely not going to be able to wash the clothes that you want to wear, so they suggest you take a lot more with you. Ready for the intense packing list for that trip  (just clothing)?

• 14 pairs of underwear
• 10 pairs of socks
• 1 nice outfit for Shabbat (coat and tie are not necessary as Israel is very casual)
• 2-3 pairs of jeans/pants
• 5-7 pairs of shorts / skirts
• 10 short sleeved shirts or T’s/tank tops
• 2 sweaters or sweatshirts or long sleeved shirts
• 2 bathing suits
• Sleepwear
• 1 pair of water shoes for hikes with water (Teva type sandals)
• 1 pair of lightweight hiking shoes/comfortable walking shoes (closed-toe). They do not need to be heavy duty just comfortable for some trail hikes (required)
• 1 towel
• 2 hats (required)

This is what I ended up bringing with me, and no, I didn’t wear it all. I don’t even remember wearing either dress I bought.

2 undershirts, 2 swim suits, 2 bras, 12 pairs of underwear, 5 pairs of socks, 2 dresses, 8 shirts, 4 pairs of shorts, a pair of pants, a shawl, a sarong, a towel and a pair of sweats for sleeping in.

That’s a lot, and I definitely over-packed. Just over a year later, after reading a lot of blogs, websites, watching some awesome youtube videos, going on several trips and really thinking about my needs, this is what I’m taking for a trip just three days shorter:

• 4 pairs of underwear
• 2 pairs of socks
• 1 packable down jacked from Uniqlo
• 1 dress
• 1 pair of black skinny pants that can double as leggings
• 1 cardigan
• 1 tank top
• 1 nicer blue top that can be dressed up or down
• 1 long sleeved v-neck
• 1 short sleeved v-neck
• 1 scarf in case I get bored with the one I wore on the plane

That’s it. That’s just the clothing that I’m packing. I almost never wear shorts, so I didn’t think I’d need to pack any with me and I’ll wear plenty of layers on the plane including comfy and really nice looking jeggings, a tank top, a v-neck, a flannel and a sweater and scarf.

I am going to bring two pairs of shoes with me, a pair of flats and a pair of sneakers for walking around. I’m going to wear the sneakers on the plane since they’re much bulkier.

Now, remember, this is just my clothes. I’m okay with having to do laundry if I have to (and I know I will, who just brings 4 pairs of underwear and doesn’t launder it?!?).

*none of the links that I’ve used here are affiliate links.

What to Expect on a Birthright Trip From Someone Who’s Been On One

1. Don’t listen when they tell you how much stuff you need to pack. Seriously, 1/4 of the stuff is just there to take up space, and anything you need, you can always buy at the hotel or Kibbutz on your trip if you find you really need it. Pack light enough that you can carry on your suitcase, but if you buy anything extra, you can check it and feel secure that your suitcase won’t explode everywhere. (It was interesting to see all of these people with suitcases bigger than they were wandering around the area.)
   1. Sarah will be posting what she took with her in her suitcase eventually…
2. Don’t stress about plans changing. They will change. There is nothing you can do about it, especially sulk. It really is for your safety and you must understand that. While Israel is an incredibly safe place and there are bomb shelters everywhere, there are still places that Birthright will not let participants go. It’s beyond anyone but the higher ups control. Think of it as a view to the way of life for typical Israelis. They have to constantly change their plans to stay safe, you just get to experience it a few times.
3. If you hear a siren, don’t panic. Follow the instructions that you are given, and if you happen to not be with your guides, follow along with what the Israelis are doing. (we were extremely lucky that we didn’t hear any sirens and didn’t have to go into any bomb shelters, but we knew it was a real threat the entire time we were there. It was always at the back of our minds that we should be mindful if we hear a siren we need to pay attention to our surroundings and follow all instructions)
4. wear sunscreen, drink tons of water, and get a booney hat. They’re really nerdy looking, but you can get them wet and they’ll help keep you cool, plus the wide brim is great at keeping the sun out of your eyes and off of your neck. We brought stick sunscreen with us which was handy since it wasn’t a liquid and we weren’t putting scalding cream on our bodies in the Middle Eastern Summer.
5. back to packing: Israel really isn’t super formal, but at the same time, you don’t want to be wandering around wearing your Lakers Jersey, right? Pack presentable things, but things that you wouldn’t be upset over if you left behind. Things that maybe you’ve had for a long time that you’re just about ready to part ways with. It’ll save you even more luggage space and give you an excuse to buy more awesome things when you’re there or when you get back, but hopefully you’ll get awesome things while you’re there.
6. you’ll be on the bus a lot. a lot a lot. Make sure you get things that are entertaining even without the internet. Chances are, unless you get a data plan, the wifi will be spotty if it works at all and you won’t be able to have access to facebook. But really, you’re in Israel for ten days, stay off of facebook, unless it’s the best way to tell people back home that you’re okay. You will live, they will live without your awesome statuses for two weeks.
7. If you do have access to wifi, email your parents/family and coworkers. They’ll thank you for letting them know you’re okay, especially if there is a conflict breaking out. However, if you can’t, just remember that Birthright sends your parents emails just about every day letting them know what you’re up to and that you’re doing okay. That’s why they have you fill out the emergency contact information as well as information about your family. They want to keep everyone at home informed.
8. Lastly, have fun! There is literally no other obligation you have to yourself or to anyone else. They’ll give you this incredibly jam-packed itinerary that is constantly changing and you will go through it in a blur. You’ll come back and want to go to Israel again. You might want to make Aliyah just so that you can get more of a connection with the land of Israel. Their goal is to educate you about your heritage in a way that is meaningful to you. Make of it what you will.

Hopefully these little reminders are what you need to get you ready for your Birthright trip. You’re going to have an amazing time. Good Luck!

We made it to Israel!

After a lot of flying, We finally made it to Israel. we’re so happy to be on the ground and we’re ready to start our amazing adventure. So far, everyone we’ve met in our group has been so nice and our tour guide is Australian!

Our first stop is a dairy farm where we will get to sample all Sorts of different goat cheeses. We’ll update when we get to our hotel tonight.

Our New York day

We landed at JFK at 8 am and were greeted by a family friend who took is home and fed us an amazing and delicious breakfast, after which we were so tired that we fell asleep. When we did wake up and get going again, we went to Main Street in the town where we’re staying in Long Island and it was beautiful, from the street itself to the lovely and mild weather, we had a great afternoon. It was filled with Italian ice from Ralph’s to the beach to sushi as an afternoon snack. We strolled back home and had an amazing steak dinner made by our wonderful hosts. We were so full but when we found out that Sarah passed her physics class, we celebrated with ice cream. It was a lovely and relaxing day. We can’t wait for tomorrow!