Shabbat in Melbourne

Started Friday morning with a trip with Ros Rogers (our hostess) to the kosher butcher and deli to pick up some food.  Seren and I also impulsed purchased at the deli with some kosher pad thai and curry sauces (we'd never seen them before).  From there, we explored the city of Melbourne on our own.  Seren showed me around Melbourne University (where she studied in 2001) and Trinity College (where she lived when she was at Melbourne Uni).  We also shopped at the huge Queen Victoria Market, as well as some local clothing stores (it is cold here, being winter and all, and we don't have appropriate clothing).  In the afternoon, we took a tram from the city up St. Kilda and Dandenong Roads to North Caulfield to the Rogers.  We joined our hosts Richard and his youngest daughter Danzi for services at Melbourne's version of Shira Hadasha (the minyan we went to in Jerusalem).  Thoroughly enjoyed!

After services, we dined at casa Rogers on a delicious Shabbat dinner of chopped liver, gefilte fish, "shake and bake" chicken and lamb chops.  We also had tuna and egg salad (which were funny additions to the Shabbat table) as well as some delicious green veggies.  Ros is a wonderful chef and it was an enjoyable meal.  Also in attendance were Ros's brother and sister-in-law and their son as well as Danzi and her boyfriend.  Shabbat dinner here is very much a family affair and a chance for families to reconnect after the week.  The Rogers daughters try to be home each week and the absent daughters were at their in-laws for dinner. 

Saturday morning, Richard and I went to the local shul.  After a very British fish-based kiddush (fried fish, fish sticks, a whole salmon with forks for the taking), we came home for lunch.  Waiting for Richard and I were Tammy (daughter 1) and her three girls as well as Joanna (daughter 2).  We had meat pies and cholent.  Deliciousness ensued.  I want to try making them when we get home.

After lunch, Richard, Seren & I walked around Melbourne from the Shrine (a war memorial), through the Botanical Gardens to Federation Square (arts center just recently built) and then to the local casino (didn't gamble, just saw). 

We came home, relaxed for a bit before going out for dinner with Joanna and her husband Darren and Danzi.  Pizza and beer.  Then dessert of delicious brownies.  It was a fun time and we really enjoyed it.

Time to go to the Jail.