Now and then I’ll throw in a fun memory from my travels. Generally, I consider New York, where I spent the most of my overseas time, to encompass everywhere else this little Aussie journeyed.

Some of you will have heard one story or another. Either way, enjoy.

On the way back from a ridiculous Connecticut Shabbaton over X-mas break in my first year in America (the speakers were very good though),  I found myself receiving a very kind lift home from a family that happened to be there. Their older son was at YU at the same time as me. They were a very religious family. One of those shtark bunch that don’t allow their children to have any influence from the outside world. Litvish, enclosed, Bnei Brak ‘Lite’ people. Lovely and all, but more than I was used to. Anyone who knows the drive from Connecticut (I forget where - the Shabbaton was at one of the main cities there at a 5 star hotel, which was one perk), to Yeshiva University… it’s around 1-1½ hours.

Listening to the kind of music they would listen to.

 About half-way through the offensive aural barrage, the CD spun its last spin.

Halleluyah! I thought. It’s finally over! I survived the torture! Well, I maintain that given G-d’s omnipotence, omnipresence and infinite intelligence, G-d also has a corresponding limitless sense of humour:

“OK children, what would you like to listen to next,” started the mother. “Uncle Moishe’s greatest hits 3, Uncle Moishe’s Hanukkah party, Torah Tots Total Torah Tunes, The Little Torah Sings a Song or Two, or Pesach Party 5765?!”

<sigh> Oh G-d, why? I thought. Said I, just loud enough for the parents to hear, but not so the kids – ” … Um… Led Zep?” I was joking of course – I know an impossibility when it smacks me in the face like a wet trout hooked up on artificial growth hormones.

And then somewhat unexpectedly… a chuckle from the understated father driving the van.

He understood.

Needless to say, we continued cruisin’ down I-Ninety-something, rockin’, rollin’ and boppin’ to more hard-core head-banging-worthy haredi children soul music…

…I wonder… does he remember the old Stones songs to this day? When did he throw out his collection? Did his wife make him do it? :-) It doesn’t really matter. That one shared moment. He understood me. That day, he sympathised with the ‘devil’.