Anna ...

Attended a talk this afternoon by the author Anna Funder, as part of the Sydney Writer's Festival. An excellent venue down at the old wharves at Walsh Bay, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge acting as a stunning backdrop through the windows.

One of the reasons we chose to live in Park Slope when we moved to Brooklyn was that friends knew another Aussie expat family living there with young children. Before meeting for dinner one night, I found out 'Anna' was actually Anna Funder, the acclaimed author. I had to race out and read her incredibly well researched and written books Stasiland and All That I Am. She didn't quizz me on my knowledge of her books, but proved to be an articulate, intelligent and witty friend. It was wonderful to share our Aussie insights into the peculiarities of living in NY and the ease of being able to speak the same cultural language.