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what to pack?

It's a pilgrimage and not a vacation! We will be living simply and relying on those around us! 

  • Suitcase (recommended) or large backpacking backpack 45-55 liters

    • Best if small enough to fit in the carry-on compartment, especially if it has a frame: 22 x 18 x 10in. If you check it or a suitcase, 5% chance it arrives a couple days late and will be delivered to us.

    • Great if you have extra space (for group items and souvenirs)
       

  • Day backpack

    • Not too small, since we'll be carrying songbooks, picnic items, etc.

    • This will be your “personal item” for the flight. 

    • If you check your big bag, pack in here 2 nights of clothing and small toiletries (no liquids over 3.4oz).

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  • Misc. Items

    • Passport 

    • Proof of COVID-19 vaccination

    • Student ID card (discounts)

    • Headphones/earbuds for translations

    • Head lamp - electricity is always off at night and unpredictable during the day

    • Pouch (around neck or money belt) for passport, cash, and ID 

      • something for easy access to keep valuables on the front of your person

      • a small crossbody purse works great for women, or fanny pack

    • Small Bible 

    • Journal and/or pocket notepad (journaling and language learning)

      • Some people enjoyed having two notebooks, one for talks/formation and one for personal journaling

    • Pen, pencil

    • Lightweight personal book or several. There won't be much available reading materials in English, so come prepared or willing to borrow from other pilgrims.

    • Phone: we'll detach from devices, but it's good to have for airport pick-up, maps, emergencies, info, and telling the time.

      • please download maps.me and zoom in to Lebanon and download and Whatsapp before arrival 

      • Please put McKenna’s and Fr. Joseph’s Whatapp numbers into your contacts: McKenna  +1 616-888-1267 and Fr. Joseph +961 70 431 188

    • Sunglasses

    • Water bottle

    • Watch

    • At least USD 50 spending money (cash)

      • you will not be able to withdraw any money from your bank while in Lebanon due to the US cash shortage so please bring all the money you will want/need for souvenirs. We will exchange with the house for Lebanese Lira

      • Please have a credit card at all times (in-case of emergency)

    • Plug converter - Same outlets as Europe

  • Toiletries

    • Small travel-size toiletries

    • Small bottle of sun-screen or share ours

    • Small bug spray or share ours

  • Shoes

    • 3-4 pairs. 

    • We'll be living in the community house, visiting holy sites, doing service in the community, and some hiking. 

    • At least one pair of comfortable shoes/sandals for long days of walking

    • At least one pair of shoes that can get dirty in the garden (can be the same as walking shoes if you want)

    • In the winter, hiking shoes/boots are recommended for muddy garden work and hiking

Clothing note: we'll be able to do laundry every 5 days but it takes a while for laundry to dry so pack accordingly. Weather is a low of 70*F and a high of 83*F. However, temperatures can climb much higher so be sure to pack additional shirts for a change at midday if needed. 

  • ALL 

    • Underwear for 9 days

    • ~5 pairs of socks depending on how much you think you'll wear shoes or sandals

    • 1 jacket/sweater/sweatshirt layers, rain is very common from January to mid-May and very rare from mid-May to the end of September

    • 1-2 pairs of Pajamas

    • Swimsuit - there MIGHT be an opportunity to use it, no promises :)

 

  • Women's clothing

    • 8 shirts total

      • Dry-fits are great! 

      • 2 nicer shirts - for Friday Shabbat, feast days/Sunday

      • 1-2 you are ok with getting very dirty

    • 5-7 Bottoms (Skirts, dresses, pants)

      • Skirts/dresses (at least to the knees) at least 1 floor length skirt or dress for visiting certain pilgrimage sites

      • Pants--For working, hiking, working out - we recommend having one pair of pants that can get really dirty in the garden

      • Think of our activities when packing: Pilgrimage to churches/holy sites, daily prayer, (liturgy of the hours, adoration, mass), manual work (could be inside or outside-clean or dirty)

    • 1 lightweight head scarf (for sun & Greek Orthodox churches)

    • 1-2 pairs of shorts (modest) for sleeping, hiking, running. We will wear skirts and pants around the monastery and for our outings.

 

  • Men's clothing

  • 4 pair of nice pants

  • Pants for hiking, working outdoors

  • 1-2 Shorts for hiking, running, sleeping

  • 8 shirts total

    • Dry-fits are great!

    • T-shirts only if they are nice/plain and don't have large print. 

    • 3-5 Nice shirts (polos, button ups), at least 2 of them white for serving Mass and for Friday night Shabbat.

    • 1-2 you are ok with getting very dirty

  • Think of our activities when packing: Pilgrimage to churches/holy sites, daily prayer, (liturgy of the hours, adoration, mass), manual work (could be inside or outside-clean or dirty--likely painting)―one set of clothes you don’t mind getting dirty

 

  • Winter Pilgrimages

    • Couple layers on top (2-3)

    • rain jacket/poncho

    • winter hat/headband

    • leggings or pants for under skirts

 

  • Bring if you have them

    • Hammock - there are great trees with great views

    • Laptop (please discuss with trip leader)

    • Deck of cards, other games for team time

 

  • NOT to bring​

    • NOTHING IN HEBREW, even in a checked bag. Security will dissect your bags, so as far as you know you have never been to Israel.​​

    • Camera (please volunteer to bring a camera if you have a good one and some experience) - A few of us will take photos for everyone.

    • Hair Dryer/appliances

    • Low-cut collars, tank-tops

    • Lots of make-up

    • Foreign currency – you can use/exchange USD here. Lebanon's currency has little value and card use is not advised.

  • Large bottles of shampoo, lotion, etc.

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