At my bed and breakfast, one of my favorite people besides my pequena amiga was the housekeeper, Odilli. I didn't just love her because she made the best Gallo pinto and breakfasts, but I loved her for her kind spirit. She opened up and shared some personal things about her life. The difficulties she has faced with raising a child all alone. She is just a kind individual who, again, deserves some acknowledgment. When it came to my breakfast in the morning, she gave me the best fruit and coffee that I just couldn't resist drinking. She always inquired as to what I liked for breakfast and I just loved the fresh fruit and yogurt. From my Honduras grocery visit, I had some oatmeal packets left over.
She asked, "Is that what people eat in America?"
I said, "Yes, some people."
She said, "Is it healthy?"
I said, "Yes, very healthy."
She said, "Well then why are the American people so big?"
It was a cute comment and a real question. She had a cute innocence besides her exterior that presented as tough with a difficult life seen on her face. Life was not easy for her, but I encouraged her to take time for herself. One day, I was asking her about the beaches and she said, "I've never been to the beach." When I hear these types of things, it absolutely upsets me and appauls me. Of course, it's the typical response for people who are working to live rather than living to work. This woman is working 15-20 miles beach and she has never went once. It's not the way a human life should be lived-it's wrong, which is why I fight for people like her.
When it came to cleaning, this woman cleaned. As I see with hired help, they keep cleaning obsessively. Nevertheless, I have never seen someone clean the floors as much as her. It's common for Nicaraguans to always be cleaning the floor, but this woman was always, always cleaning the floor. The whole place was spotless at all times including my room. She came at 6 am and she rarely sat down to take a break. Odilli had a very professional relationship with the owner and it was not much more than that, which is a shame after working for her for seven years. If it came to a family event, I'm sure she would not be included.
Many relationships with the housekeeper are kept professional and separate. I remember when I visited India and all my family members had a housekeeper. Instead of just treating them as hired help, I would like to talk to them, learn about their life, and make them laugh. When I was at my cousins' wedding, I took a few pictures with them and someone commented on this. It was funny and strange that I was taking pictures with real human beings who also had beating hearts.
She asked, "Is that what people eat in America?"
I said, "Yes, some people."
She said, "Is it healthy?"
I said, "Yes, very healthy."
She said, "Well then why are the American people so big?"
It was a cute comment and a real question. She had a cute innocence besides her exterior that presented as tough with a difficult life seen on her face. Life was not easy for her, but I encouraged her to take time for herself. One day, I was asking her about the beaches and she said, "I've never been to the beach." When I hear these types of things, it absolutely upsets me and appauls me. Of course, it's the typical response for people who are working to live rather than living to work. This woman is working 15-20 miles beach and she has never went once. It's not the way a human life should be lived-it's wrong, which is why I fight for people like her.
When it came to cleaning, this woman cleaned. As I see with hired help, they keep cleaning obsessively. Nevertheless, I have never seen someone clean the floors as much as her. It's common for Nicaraguans to always be cleaning the floor, but this woman was always, always cleaning the floor. The whole place was spotless at all times including my room. She came at 6 am and she rarely sat down to take a break. Odilli had a very professional relationship with the owner and it was not much more than that, which is a shame after working for her for seven years. If it came to a family event, I'm sure she would not be included.
Many relationships with the housekeeper are kept professional and separate. I remember when I visited India and all my family members had a housekeeper. Instead of just treating them as hired help, I would like to talk to them, learn about their life, and make them laugh. When I was at my cousins' wedding, I took a few pictures with them and someone commented on this. It was funny and strange that I was taking pictures with real human beings who also had beating hearts.
The housekeeper can dream. She can dream of a life where she had her own nice home and business. She can dream of not having to cater to someone's family rather than just focusing on her own. She can dream about meeting a nice man and being happy. She can dream.....She can dream.....PRIS
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