9 Things to Leave Behind When Heading to Hebron, Palestine -

9 Things to Leave Behind When Heading to Hebron, Palestine: Palestine is a beautiful and diverse society where you will certainly feel welcome. As it is an Islamic society there are some practices and cultural norms which can be quite different to life elsewhere. We will fill you in with the “Do’s and Don’ts” on arrival. However there are some key points you should know and consider before you arrive.

While you are preparing to travel you may be wondering which items are necessary and appropriate to bring with you and which ones you should leave behind. To help you with this task we’ve compiled a brief guide of ten things to leave behind and some general advice. This is to ensure you do not cause any harm unintentionally or suffer any embarrassment. Above all the one thing you should bring is a smile.

1. Crop Tops and Shorts

This goes for both men and women. Hebron is a culturally conservative city. You’ll find that women in particular dress more modestly than those in the West. While the wearing of the hijab certainly isn’t required of you, dressing more modestly and wearing loose fitting clothing will help you avoid any uncomfortable situations and fit in more easily. If you would like to try the hijab for a day for the cultural experience the women here would be more than happy to lend you a scarf. Crop tops, short shorts, halter tops, miniskirts, and anything too tight should be left at home. Many female volunteers wear jeans and a cardigan over their tops.

Although men are not required to dress quite as modestly as women, it is still important for men to choose their travel clothes carefully. Men should also leave their shorts behind as they aren’t traditionally worn and may elicit some stares- especially high cut shorts. It might be acceptable for men to wear longer shorts which cover the knees but we recommend full length trousers. It is possible to find lightweight trousers for the summer months.

2. Flask and Shot Glass

Islam 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 in Hebron is a big taboo and generally consumption of alcohol in a foreign country can put you at greater risk. You can have a great time in Palestine without the need to consume alcohol!

3. High Heels

At times while walking down the street in Hebron you may have to walk on the road, on gravel or dirt, or avoid rubbish or construction. As such, high heels and any uncomfortable footwear is impractical and can prove to be a hassle. Men and women should pack comfortable sneakers to walk around the city and sturdy walking shoes are advisable for hiking.

4. Belt

With kanafeh, baklava, shawarma, falafel, and mansef galore there are lots of culinary delights in Palestine to tempt your tastebuds! You may want to pack a bigger size trousers for the return flight 🙂 Of course it is entirely up to you and there are many healthy food options to meet your dietary requirements.

5. Bible (Sort of But Not Really)

By all means, bring your Bible, Torah, Quran, Vedas, Tripitaka, or Dianetics for personal spiritual guidance. Please 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 it’s unwise to try to convince them that they are wrong on religious matters. However there is no need to be alarmed. Most people are happy to discuss their faith with those who are genuinely interested.

Feel free to be open and ask questions if you sincerely seek a better understanding of some of the cultural and religious practices in Hebron. No one will try to convince or force you to convert to Islam, so likewise please respect the beliefs of others and do not try to convert them. You will find that most faiths actually have a lot of common ground and share some of the same values.

6. Bad Attitude

Traveling overseas can be difficult and challenging, especially when the culture and primary language of your destination is unfamiliar to you. It will require patience, an open mind and good humor. Leave your frown behind and try to keep a good attitude while in Palestine no matter what life throws at you.

7. Picket Signs, Gas Mask, Stones

Engage in Palestine/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 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 as this is not something that we take part in and we do not condone such activities.

The Engage in Palestine/ Excellence Center seeks to increase mutual understanding between the Palestinian people and people from other countries through means of educational and cultural exchange which assists in the development of peaceful relations.

8. Toiletries

You may want to pack a few days’ worth of shampoo, toothpaste and soap for while you are traveling and getting settled. Hebron has numerous pharmacies and stores stocked with just as many grooming necessities as any other country so you can save some room in your suitcase and hassle at airports by taking only essential toiletries or medications. Please note it can get quite hot in summer months 30°C (86°F) so bring sunscreen if you wish.

9. Anything Else You Don’t Absolutely Need….

You’ll need the room for souvenirs!

We hope this gives you a better idea of what to pack and what to leave behind. Other than what’s mentioned above, feel free to bring whatever you feel will make your stay more comfortable. The main point is to be understanding and respectful of the different cultural and religious practices and to be open and willing to learn. Modesty is a big part of life in Hebron and so one should consider this before arrival. We are sure you will feel more than welcome upon arrival and if you have any further questions or queries feel free to email us.