Waltzing Matilda in French and Spanish

Valerie arrived in Geneva to work for United Nations in 1948 and soon became a simultaneous interpreter in English, French and Spanish and a Russian translator. There were few conference interpreters in those days and they were treated like film stars, pampered and indulged, and very much in demand. The profession has changed enormously since then, especially recently with the advent of Covid-19 when conferences take place via Zoom. This book describes her life in the old days of cocktail parties, evening dress and jewellery. It also describes what it was like in Australia in 1979 when she came to live here, having fallen in love with an Australian UN delegate.

In Melbourne she met the most handsome man she had ever encountered, who came to repair her gas stove. In Sydney she fell in love with the didgeridoo and in Darwin with Mindil Market and the sunset. She was dazzled by the beautiful, brightly coloured birds and the magnificent seascapes but found barbecue etiquette a challenge. In this book, she explains why being able to do headstands in the shower is important, why taking a bath is unhygienic, why flowers are sinful and unfaithful and why planes and boats are unable to travel faster.

Born in London, Valerie Taylor Bouladon Barnes moved to Geneva to work for United Nations at the age of 21, soon after the end of WWII when the organisation was young and full of hope, everyone believing that if they based everything on compromise, there would be no more war. She became a simultaneous interpreter in English, French and Spanish and a translator in Russian. Having fallen in love with an Australian conference delegate, she came to live in Australia in 1979, where she worked for Prime Ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating at both the old and new parliament houses. She danced with Bob Hawke in a restaurant in Geneva and was captivated by his aftershave and hairstyle and enjoyed the challenge of translating Paul Keating's vocabulary into French and Spanish. She has worked and travelled in 98 countries and had many adventures mostly before tourism took over the world. She has many stories to tell: this is her third book of memories and at 94 she is still writing!

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