Author Description

Gloria kept a diary from the age of 16 to 42 so the stories contain a lot of detail. She worked in Monte-Carlo for seven years during which time she visited Russia, Africa and Asia and then drove an old Citroen 2CV from London to Kathmandu. Although she sampled hashish and opium, it left her cold as she is a non-smoker. The journey ended in Australia. It is apparent that Gloria will not die wondering about how other people live. As a nurse she has a lot of empathy with people from different parts of the globe. The descriptions of Russia in the 1970's makes one realize how much life has changed over the years. She revisits several countries and is able to make the comparison, not always favourable. Gloria believes that the fact that she speaks fluent French and Spanish and has a definite ear for languages has helped her more than anything to get into the other person's skin and make friends easily. She claims that to speak another language is to become another person. Although Gloria has been to some faraway places with strange-sounding names, she keeps her feet firmly on the ground and takes us through her adventures with humour. A rollicking, rip-roaring adventure.