The Secretary

During our trip here in Brazil, we are learning many different things. We learn what we love about our country, the things we miss, the things we could change, and even the similarities. The one thing that we in the U.S. dont have is the Secretary, as they are called in Brazil. Well, some people have them, but only the extremly wealthy. We call them house maids. After sitting with my Brazilian families, I have learned all about them. Every day from 8am to 3pm, a woman comes to the house and begins to do the things we Americans do for ourselves. Cook breakfast, wash clothes (not only fold them but iron and press each and every piece, socks and underwear included) better than your local dry cleaner, clean after every mess, sweep and mop the floors, yard work, cook lunch, prepare the table for dinner, and wait for more mess. Wow, I know I said a lot, but thats what they do. They are very loyal to the family and do the work without a gripe or complaint. Spoiled you may say, well yes it is spoiling. Ive gotten use to having my own maid. We each have stayed with 3 different families so far, and we have all had maids. It is very common here, and the Brazilian families think we have them too. I had to tell them ¨Naw, i aint got no maid." They respond in disbelief, ¨Por Que No?¨ I say, because I cant afford one. I then asked, how much do you pay her, she said 500 Reis a month, which, hold your breath, is equal to $250 a month. I said, if thats how much they were in the US we would all have them too. I told her in the US her service would be worth no less than $1200 a month or equivalent to 2400 Reis a month. Her mouth dropped and said, Wow I see. So until we can pay $250 a month for a maid, I think we will be washing and ironing our own clothes. We will be cleaning our own floors and cooking our own food. So for now we are gonna enjoy our maids cause when we get back home, it will be business as usual for us, The American Way. Tchau tchau.