West Bank Travel Forum

hello,

i'll be visiting bethlehem soon and i'm having difficulty finding accomodation over the net. any recommendation? i'm looking for a basic one, budget USD20~50.

thanks,
isa

Marhabba,

I will be attending Birzeit University in Ramallah, and so I have a few questions:

1. What development-oriented volunteer work is there available in Ramallah (preferable close to the Birzeit area)? I am looking for something involving development or human rights type stuff.

2. I will be there for one year, what is involved (and what are your suggestions) in terms of getting a Visa?

3. What are good areas to live near Birzeit University (by good I do not want to be isolated from real palestinian people)?

4. What is there to do for fun in Ramallah? Where can I meet a lot of Palestinian people? Where can I meet university-aged palestinians? and lastly what is there in terms of a nightlife in Ramallah?

Shukrun!

I'm from Barcelona, Spain, and we are planining a pilgrimage to Holy Land next year with a gruop of friends. For me is not the first time, I have been already there, but always it's fantastic to comeback. I read in your note, that is very nice to see Bethelem from the top of the university, exactly , from the restaurant of the university, Is it possible to take dinner there?.
There are students studing Spanish language?
I'm sorry for my bad English, and thank you very much,
MĒ Esther
my mail is: maedequadras@gmail.com

hi, i wanna go to ramallah. i'm from indonesia. n i don't find any way to get there. plz tell me what'm i suposse to do, what's airlane that i should take, i really need the info. is that true we can go direct there by plane?
coz i don't like travelling by bus. if any one have some info, plz send to my mail....andreinisalu@yahoo.com

thanx be4

Can I use public transportation from the Church of the Nativity to Rachel's tomb? If not, how do I get there?
Thanks for your help!

OK, here's a question for the people who know....how do I get a package of items that I purchased in Jerico actually sent to me. I paid for the shipping, but there seems to be a problem actually mailing a package from Palestine to the US. I've tried calling the company (yes, it's a big legitimate company), but my phone carrier will not connect me to the company. (it's in Palestine). This is becoming absurd. The purchases were made over three weeks ago in person and I expected them to be here when I got home. The postal service says they haven't received anything and I'm having problems getting ahold of the store in Jerico. Any suggestions?
Susan

I will be spending Christmas in Bethlehem this Christmas and was wondering if anyone had advice on going to a service and/or finding a hostel/ hotel. Would it be easier to stay in Jerusalem.. if so, what time does the border crossing close? Thanks!

About how far is Manger Square from the checkpoint when coming from Jerusalem? Is it in walk able distance and is it advisable to walk?

marhabban!

I'm a US graduate student who will be traveling to the West Bank this summer to do some interviews for my dissertation research. My Arabic isn't great--and it's MSA, anyway--so I'll likely need an interpreter at least part-time. Can anyone give me a rough estimate as to the daily pay for an interpreter? (or even better, some leads/contact info for interpreters?)

Ideally, I'd be looking for a Palestinian university student who was fluent or near-fluent in English. Now that I think a bit more, an Israeli student might be a good idea, as I worry a bit about travel restrictions within the West Bank.

I'll be staying in Ramallah, but I anticipate that my plans can change.

thanks in advance!

Joseph (aka Yusuf)

Hi,
Im planning a trip to Ramallah,and have plans to reside in a palestinian village.What are the requirements to be able to do so. Also, for how long am I allowed to stay if im only a tourist....Please help, if you are from america, what exactly is requested from Israel to obtain a visa, I am told that a return ticket is not a requirement as it states at the website for state.gov .
Your input is greatly appreciated...

sandy
USA

Maybe next year i will visit Israel and West Bank.

I need special visa for enter west bank i want visit Bethelem, Ramallah and another cities?

Is safe going to west bank and return back.

What is the best city to know and talk whit the Palestinian people.

My brother and I would like to visit a friend in Ramallah while we're in the Middle East. We will be in Jordan and are planning on crossing at the King Hussein Bridge.
What is the best (in terms of time and money) way to get to Ramallah?

Thanks!

Hi, I am an American currently living near Haifa, and I'd like to travel to Mt. Gerazim for the Samaritan Passover on Monday. Does anyone know how I can do this via public transport? I know there is a little Jewish settlement called Beracha near there, which Egged might go to, but I can't find anything on their website. Anyway, I'd appreciate any help you could offer. Thanks!

from my country i have 2 options i can get visa from the embassy or i can get at the airport.can you tell me how easy is it to get visa at the airport for canadian passport and how much do they charge at the airport and do they give multiple visa since i may leave turkey for 1 week to syria then back for few more days.what is your reccomendations.is english spoken at the airport so they will be able to undeerstand i need multiple visa.
thank you for your help

how do Jericho people can travel from their city to another palestinian city?

is it allowed to them??

The news of local buses being blown up in Israel and West Bank worries me, but I'm thinking that there may be a lull in this excitement with Fatah-Hamas rivalries occupying the political agenda. Can I skip the tour bus or rental car and simply climb aboard the local bus without too much worry? What complexities are there in finding a bus, particularly one that goes through check points in the West Bank area. Also, are there alternative versions of public transport--bus, minivan (non-tourist), or metro trolley? I've heard that diplomatic employees aren't recommended to use the local bus, but maybe I as a spontaneous tourist may be safer. I'm black haired, tanned, and don't talk a lot.

I am a us citizen as are my children. My inlaws live in Palestine I want to take my children there in september I want to stay about a week and leave them for about 6 months - 2 children ages 3 and 2. How do I go about this

how do you contact the municipal offices of sur bahir , the mayor or representatives of the city,concerning city issues

Hi,

I will be in Israel this December and became aware of a volunteer post in Nablus. Simply, can I, or should I go? Will I be able to cross into the West Bank? Do I need a Visa? Whats the scoop?

Thanks!

I am a Japanese national (female, age 32)living in England. I'm planning to visit Jerusalem in May with a friend who has a friend there. I have a very good friend who lives in Hebron and works in Ramallah, and I like to visit him if possible.

He says it's not impossible to meet him in Ramallah, although it all depends on the circumstances. However, he does not seem to know much about how things are processed on the Israeli side.

The Israeli Embassy homepage mentioned permit for crossing Jordanian/ Egyptian boders, but had no reference to entering West Bank. On the other hand, I get an impression from the letters posted toVirtual Tourist as well as from my Israeli hosts that I should not seek for permission in advance.

What I'm thinking of doing now is to negotiate with the taxi driver and see what heppens at the checkpoint. I will be cooperative and will give up if I'm refused passage. What I'm uncertain about is that, provided I make it to Ramallah, will there be difficulties coming back to Jerusalem? Will I be able to find a taxi back, and will I be able to pass the checkpoint? I don't want to cause trouble either to my Palestinian friend or my Israeli hosts.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Cheers

I want to travel to Nablus in Dec '03 to meet my fiancee and get married. She is living in Nablus. Any advice on how my mother and I can get to visit her there ?

We are Muslims and UK citizens. I heard it is difficult to get into the West Bank but not impossible.

Any help will be deeply appreciated as I am trying to decide whether to go.

Thanks

Mafee

I want to find an inexpensive, clean and comfortable hotel in central Bethlehem, only my emails to those advertised on the Internet don't seem to get anywhere. Can anyone help? I'm also looking for a reliable guide/translator for about a week. Aain, any guidance would be appreciated.

My husband, child and I are Canadian citizens, although both Palestinian (husband born there, has West bank ID card). We are hoping to get into Ramallah from Amman sometime next spring to see his family and I am terrified. I lived in P in the late 90s, but am aware of the danger (from Israeli soldiers) in travelling around these days. Wondering if anyone has any tips for getting around. For example, would it be better to rent a car with yellow plates to try to go from Amman to Ramallah and Jenin (to see family), or to take a service taxi? Any tips much appreciated.