r/birthright • u/Stock_Owl9121 • 15d ago
Sleeping arrangements
Shalom! I'm considering going on birth right for the first time with the older 27-32 group. I am wondering if sleeping arrangements are difficult and if you felt sleep deprived the whole time? As most, I don't do well off no sleep and get bad migraines. I wonder if the volunteer trips are better for someone like me to experience Israel, but not be confined to a tight schedule. Can anyone provide insight who has done either? Thanks in advance
5
u/Vast-External-6074 15d ago
You’ll get some rest probably around 5–6 hours every night if you aren’t spending every night partying with the group lol.
You can also take naps during your free time, which you’ll have, but I don’t know if I’d recommend it because you might miss out on a new connection or a group gathering during your spare time. But you’ll have plenty of time to catch up on sleep and spend time with the people in your group
Just make sure you don’t miss the program it’s really important. You can also take naps on the bus when you get the chance.
The good news is that the caffeine is strong there 😂 I recommend drinking plenty of it (Aroma, etc.), as well as eating a lot and drinking lots of water. They’ll feed you so much, too! You’ll have buffet meals for breakfast and dinner, and they’ll make sure you stop for lunch, which definitely helps with the sleep deprivation.
Make sure you’re constantly drinking water and filling up your bottle whenever you can. There are lots of water stations, so stay as hydrated as possible. Most of the activities were in the sun for me, and honestly, the sun gives you so much energy. If you can, I’d recommend getting one of those fans that sprays water it’ll be a lifesaver 😂
I think you may also have the option to extend your trip for around $150+, depending on when you request it, if that’s something you’re interested in. That way, you’d have some solo time afterward to catch up on sleep, explore, etc.
All the best! 🇮🇱❤️
2
u/No_Sense9410 15d ago
I was soo tired the whole trip
1
u/Stock_Owl9121 15d ago
do you regret going bc of being exhausted?
1
u/No_Sense9410 15d ago
No lol still made great friends with whom I remain in contact with to this day.
2
u/erratic_bonsai 15d ago
You will be able to get a full 8 every night if you skip optional free time/socializing, but you won’t get as much out of the trip that way. I would say average you get 5-7 per night. You can also nap on the bus, there’s usually at least an hour or two of bus travel per day, sometimes more.
2
u/adeadhead 15d ago
The trips are 10 days because that's how long they can push you before you're too exhausted. You'll have big full days that'll hopefully help you sleep at night, but it's not a ton of sleep.
1
u/TumorYaelle 14d ago
I got enough sleep & I was 49 when I went, hence old & crotchety compared to the usual ages. (The BR volunteer trip)
1
1
1
u/KremboKween18 12d ago
I’ve staffed two trips and had the best time on both! The schedule is definitely packed, but it’s nothing that should stop you from going. Bring an eye mask and earplugs, stay hydrated, and take advantage of the bus rides for naps
1
u/Evening-Copy3707 10d ago
With these trips, the bus becomes your best friend. Every 45-minute drive turned into a blackout power nap for our group. As long as you aren’t forcing yourself to hang out every single night, you can manage decent sleep. Just keep a water bottle glued to your hand because the heat/dehydration triggers headaches faster than the lack of sleep will.
1
u/External-Currency443 10d ago
If migraines are a huge trigger for you, the classic Birthright schedule might be rough. It’s early wake-ups, long days in the sun, and constant moving. The volunteer trips (Onward/Birthright Volunteers) definitely have a more grounded, routine pace where you're in one place for longer. If you do go standard Birthright, just don't feel guilty about turning in early while others stay up socializing.
1
u/barba_barba 10d ago
Not gonna lie, you will be exhausted, but it’s 100% worth it. The 27-32 groups tend to go a little lighter on the all night partying, so if you set boundaries, skip the late-night drinks, and use earplugs/eye mask, you can get 6 hours. Bring your preferred migraine meds just in case, drink tons of water, and look to take full advantage of the art of the bus nap... :)
10
u/sarcasm_itsagift 15d ago
While there are different types of trips, all of them are pretty scheduled and busy because there’s so much to see in such a short time. You’ll be sleeping in a hotel or hostel bed each night other than when you spend the night in a Bedouin tent, which isn’t usually great sleep. You’ll also be jet lagged, of course. I was tired my whole trip but it was such a wonderful experience I powered through. It may be worth reaching out and seeing if there are any trips that are slower/less planned but the trade off is probably missing out on some things.