Walk The Walk

I did the random meal at the Kotel thing!
A few weeks ago I told a friend that I didn't think I would ever go to the Machlis's to eat a shabbat meal. The Machlis are an incredibly special family in Israel who host many many people every weekend for meals. They never say no. Someone told me that in their small living room and dinning room he had seen them fit in as many as 80-100 people. This is not an experience reccomended for the easily claustrophobic. I'm not claustrophobic, but I like eating at peoples' homes where I can meet my hosts, and get to know them. However, here I was at the Kotel with my brother, finding myself being led to the Machlis's for a meal. And it was really nice. Not something I would do again on purpose, but since I like trying almost everything at least once, it was great. I was with my bro, so I had someone to talk to. Also at our table where some (interesting?) guys, mostly from Chicago, and this Israeli dude who liked denim a little too much. Behind me sat a friend I had met at the Kotel and a few of her friends. Rabbi Machlis was a bit under the weather so his son and son-in-law ran the show for the evening. Making kiddush and hamotzei. They gave divrei torah and offered everyone a chance to speak. Meanwhile there was plenty of food and the courses kept moving. After sitting cramped for a few hours I was happy for the long walk back to where I was staying.