Last night was Wendy’s birthday. We had just arrived in a small town in Cappadocia (Turkey). A friend had recommended a nearby restaurant. We sat on a terrace facing cave houses. Charming and beautiful place. Remote.
Shortly after we sat down, a British couple about our age was seated next to us. We greeted them cordially and begin to chat. They’ve been living in Cappadocia for 6 years in a small village not far from the restaurant. When I mention I live in Peru, Judy said, “Eroca, a Canadian neighbor of ours used to live in Peru.” “Eroca!”, I respond with great incredulity, “She lived 500 meters down the road from me in Pisac.” “Yes, that’s her”. I knew Eroca had left Peru a few years ago but I didn’t know she had moved to Turkey. Unbelievable.
As we continued to talk over our delicious dinners, I mentioned that I’d written books. Judy then confided that she’d written a screenplay – set in Egypt where she has done some research on cave paintings. The film script is a suspense thriller, partly based on a true story.
Wendy and I excitedly told her about our scripts and the competition we‘re about to enter. It is for women over 40 who have written a full length screenplay. A New York non-profit funded by Meryl Streep will select eight women for a 3-day lab to workshop their scripts with women in the film industry and then help them access people who could produce their films.
Knowing that these kind of coincidences are never by accident, I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re three of the eight selected! So see you in September Judy in New York City. And give my regards to Eroca.
