On The Run



“To serve, run.
To live, walk slowly.” 


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A year ago on our trip to Paris, I bought a fancy looking pair of flat leather shoes. After a lot of walking, I came home with a pain in my heels, which did not go away. It turned out to be a common problem. After consulting with my yoga teacher, chiropractor, and our family doctor, they recommended different exercises and to wear special shoes at night or plastic boots, which would pull my toes back to release pressure. All of this helped a little, but the pain was still there.

Since we were planning our trip to Italy, I needed a quick solution—new shoes? I visited The Foot Locker, but that did not help. I do not like to wear colorful, striped sneakers with black dress pants. The insoles I bought there did not fit well in my old shoes. We were set to leave on Monday morning. On Sunday at 5:55pm (5 minutes before closing), I walked into the shoe store

“On the Run” located at 1310 9th Ave in San Francisco. An hour later, I walked out with four pairs of shoes (including clogs to be worn at home). Two of the pairs were manufactured in Israel by the company NAOT, which in English means “nice looking and practical”—which they are.

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Not only could I walk on our trip for at least 8-9 hours a day, but when we came back the pain was almost gone. The miracle was a result of the knowledge and patience from the sales person Ahn, who took time to work with me despite the late hours. The store and another one around the corner are owned by Mark Wachter. I met his sister in the store who told me that she had considered getting knee surgery, until Mark convinced her to try different shoes. The result? No pain, no surgery.

In Florence one evening, we had dinner at the Cibreo restaurant. It was a special experience. Although pricey, the food was very good and the service was superb. The staff moved very fast, sometimes they even ran. I looked at their footwear: no sneakers, but comfortable shoes. The service reminded me of our dinners in Zuni Café and Hayes Bar and Grill here in San Francisco.

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What is interesting is that this kind of service is mentioned in the Torah. The chapter Vayeira starts with the story about three men (God’s messengers) visiting Abraham, who recently celebrated his 99th birthday and was sitting in his tent after undergoing circumcision.  The three men informed him that his wife Sarah, at the age of 90, will give birth to a son:

“He lifted his eyes and saw: And behold! Three men were standing over him. He perceived, so he ran toward them from the entrance of the tent, and bowed toward the ground. And he said, “My Lord, if I find favor in Your eyes, please pass  not away from Your servent.”—Genesis 18/2

After offering them water to wash their feet, he invited them to stay over for a meal:

“So Abraham hastened to the tent to Sarah and said, “Hurry! Three se’ahs of meal, fine flour! Knead and make cakes!” Then Abraham ran to the cattle, took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the youth who hurried to prepare it. He took cream and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and placed these before them; he stood over them beneath the tree and they ate.”—Genesis 18/6-8

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I do not know if the restaurants I’ve mentioned use this story in their training manuals, but those who regulate the mortgage industry could definitely learn a thing or two.

P.S. 

In Italy, we dined in different restaurants and really enjoyed late evening strolls (in comfortable shoes). The weather was very pleasant and a lot of young people would congregate to have light meals or just to hang out. Since my camera can photograph in very low light, you can benefit from some of the images. 

P.P.S. 

 While you are reading this email, I am together with my family and friends in Cuba wearing my comfortable shoes.

Report to follow.


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