holytourist.com

Be sure to look into travel insurance before we depart. Being out of the country will complicate any problem you may have while away - travel insurance helps to mitigate some of those problems.

Your options will include covering every eventuality you may face while travelling. If you choose, you can cover trip cancellation, airline strikes, missing your flight, baggage loss, baggage delays, sickness and even medical repatriation (a med-flight home). This website tells you everything you’d want to know about travel insurance if you want a complete education.

Here’s a link to Travelex Insurance Services who are reccommended by Quest Travel, our tour operators. There are plenty other companies that offer travel insurance and you are in no way obligated to use Travelex for this trip.

Also, check with your medical insurer to see how to handle claims while you are out of the country should it be neccessary and put your insurance card in your wallet or purse with your ID. 

• Days to departure: 46

Came across an interesting story as we prepare for the trip. They probably should have just vacationed at the beach.

US tourist diagnosed with ‘Jerusalem Syndrome’ jumps off building

Syndrome manifests in psychosis, delusions with religious themes; prevalent in devout tourists overwhelmed by visit to Israeli capital, mostly afflicts Christians.

Ahiya Raved

Published:

05.25.08, 07:11 / Israel News

If you start feeling overwhelmed by it all - let one of us know - OK?

• Days to departure: 48

It’s a spiritual journey we are about to embark upon, but let’s face it - you gotta buy some stuff too.

Just because you are a "rich American tourist" doesn’t mean you don’t want to find a bargain. Here are a few sites with some suggestions on finding deals. If you find others, let the rest of us know by clicking "comments" below.

Israel shopping

More Israel shopping

And more Israel Shopping

Egypt shopping

More Egypt shopping

• Days to departure: 52

This photo reminds me of the saying "Jerusalem is where heaven and earth kiss". Pictures will be extremely important to us.

Some places we will visit absolutely will not allow pictures to be taken - for instance inside the Mosque of Al Aqsa at the Dome of the Rock. When my son was in Egypt, a few museums wanted to charge to allow photos - I can’t confirm that this is still true or if it was an "official" charge of any kind. However, for the most part I’m sure most of us will be taking TONS of pictures.

Here are a couple of sites that give some suggestions and instructions on getting the shots you want on your trip to Jerusalem:

http://photo.net/israel/jerusalem

http://www.photo-tips-jerusalem.com/

The thing about pictures is this - when YOU’RE taking them, YOU’RE never in them, but you end up in others photos.

I’m bringing along a 250 gig hard drive so I can download your pictures each day so we can all share them and for backup in case something happens to your memory or your camera - wouldn’t you HATE to loose all your photos from a trip this big?

So, bring along your cable or whatever interface you use to download your camera and I’ll back them up each day or every other day during the trip. Once we get home, I’ll burn CD’s of all the pictures and mail them out to you.

You may recieve an email in the next few days from the state department to advise you that your trip has been registered with them. It is something I always do with our mission trips.

The State Department advises that you always register foreign travel with them. When you do, the consulate where you are traveling is made aware of your presence in the country. Should any need arise for you to contact them, they can instantly verify that you are who you say you are and render aid more quickly.

This email is to confirm your recent registration.  This information is only accessible to authorized U.S. Department of State embassy and consular personnel in the event that emergency assistance needs to be provided to U.S. citizens who are traveling abroad.

There is nothing you need to do - This is just for your information.

(click for larger pictures)

You will need an adapter to use any of your electrical appliances, battery chargers or laptops while we are traveling.

Israel uses 220v, 50 cycle power with an "H" type socket (pictured above). The SI-32 and SI-32 "flat pin" plugs picured are incompatable with any other type of socket. However, this "C’ type "eoroplug" (pictured below) will work in the "H" type socket. The "C" plug is used in Egypt and most of the mideast. In other words a "C" adaptor will work in both Egypt and Israel, but an "H" only in Israel. (The power is the same in both countries, only the plug shape is different).

If your equipment does not have a switch to convert it for use on a 220v system, you will also need a step down transformer (below), which will convert the 220v power in the mideast to 110v which we use in the US.

If you are uncertain about your equipment, check with a travel store like Magellan’s, Taylor Trunk, The Travel Store or an electronics store like Radio Shack. You can also check with your equipment manufacturer about potential timekeeping problems when using power at a different cycle rate.

Just do a google search for step down transformers or travel adaptors for good deals.

The last thing we need traveling together are agitated women who cannot blow dry or curl their hair and grumpy men who are unable to charge their gadgetry.

Christian visitors help Israel tourism grow

"The influx has happened even though travel costs are rising because of fuel surcharges and a weak dollar. Some package tour prices have increased 60 percent in the past two years. A standard 10-day tour now runs about $3,300, including airfare and fuel surcharge, hotels, meals, guide, entrance fees and transportation."

Here’s an interesting article about tourism in Israel. It addresses increased costs, violence in the country and the growth in Christian tourism.

Everything I am reading lately about the decrease in violence, fuel costs continuing to go up and the always uncertain future convinces me that this is a great time for this trip.

Sunday, August 3rd, 2:PM to approximately 3:30 PM

We will meet in the sanctuary to talk about our itinerary, packing, travel safety, flights, etc.

Debby Vial (Castello) will join us to answer any questions you may have about traveling in the middle east especially Israel. She has been there many times in her position with the Presbyterian Church USA’s International Peacemakers Program and has taken groups in to work with Palestinian Christians. Debby has also written "When God’s People Travel Together: A Trip Leader’s Planning Manual".

Debby will be able to address any lingering anxieties we may have about traveling in Israel as well as having information on the historic and religious sites, places to visit and traveling as a Christian in a land of many faith traditions. Write down your questions in advance so you don’t forget something.

If you can’t make this meeting, write your questions out and email me at tsteiden@insightbb.com and I’ll be sure to ask them for you.