New Friends

I met Sonia at JFK Airport on August 10th. We happened to be sitting next to each other while waiting for our very late airplane. We started talking about books. The subjects branched out from there. Our take off kept getting delayed, and at one point, as I was on the phone with my sister-in-law, the flight finally began boarding. However, partially because my sister-in-law is so fascinating (love ya, J!) and partially because I just wasn't paying enough attention and thought it was the gate next to ours that was boarding their plane, I almost missed my flight. Yes, the one that brought me here to Australia! (Duh!) Well, thanks to Sonia, who was waving wildly at me from the gate, I just made it!

During our stopover at LAX, we chatted some more, I thanked her profusely for making sure I made it on the plane!, and she gave me her card. Since then we have kept in touch via email.

Sonia lives right at Circular Quay, which is just minutes (walking) to the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House - she has great views of the Bridge and the Royal Botanical Gardens. She is a lovely woman. Her husband is elderly and lives in a care facility, so she lives alone and goes to visit him everyday. She is very community minded and has served for years on Sydney's City Council. She knows a lot about this city and has fascinating stories and insights on Sydney's politics and it's politicians. She also has a love for historical fiction, which I also think is fun to read.

Well, since schedules finally allowed, we met up for lunch on Friday. Sonia had me over to her place and made me one of the nicest meals I've had! Salmon and various salads, veggies, fruit, etc. Everything was fresh and wonderful! Then we went for coffee (hot chocolate in my case) at a little cafe just down by the water. Three hours and a food coma later, I took my leave.

What fun! And what a sweet woman! She lent me some books and we've already been in touch since then. Aren't new friends great!