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dotintheskyI woke up at 8 a.m. to take Tete for a walk. When we were coming back, we ran into the maid. She was on her way to the bakery to buy some bread and milk for me. And when I finished my breakfast, she was startled that I wanted to wash my own dishes. I'm still not used to being waited around - being away from Brasil does that to me.
Having a maid in Brasil is very common. We have Leia, the woman who comes in to do little jobs and the cooking (and who went to the bakery this morning); Maria do Carmo, who takes care of Nicholas (it would be preferable if she were a proper nurse, but we can't afford that); and Fatima, who comes over once a week for a complete cleansing of the apartment: she tackles carpets, bathrooms, windows, balcony, everything.
During Fatima's last visit, 100 reais went missing (that's about 20 pounds). There were only three people in the apartment at the time: myself, Leia, and Fatima. I obviously didn't take the money, and I also know Fatima didn't do it (our family has known her, and her family, for almost thirty years.) So it must have been Leia, though we can't prove it. Now, everytime she is around, I feel uncomfortable. The way she talks, the way she tries to suck up to us. My mother asked me to start locking my wardrobe (where I've hidden my euros) whenever I go out because she cannot be trusted.
It's horrible when the mood in the house is spoiled this way. We try to rationalize the behaviour of the person (she stole because she needed the money urgently, or because she felt we owned so much more than her and could afford to do without the money.) But you know what? It's not right. Our family isn't like the many rich in Brasil who have gained their money through corruption. My dad actually worked from the bottom to get where he was, and everything we have was bought with the money from his work. My mom doesn't seem too bothered by this latest event, mainly because her entire life has been an ongoing history of maids that steal, cheat and lie. She even had all of her most precious jewellery stolen by one of them, not to mention the many others who have caused all kinds of trouble in our house (remind me one day to tell you the story of Geni).
***
My brother and I are no longer going to Natal, or staying in that hotel. Thanks a lot to whoever cast a olho gordo (fat eye) on us! I'm calling all sorts of travel agencies today to try to secure a trip to Bahia. But I'm not telling you anymore until everything is 100% for sure. Bragging about holidays only leads to disasters.
Having a maid in Brasil is very common. We have Leia, the woman who comes in to do little jobs and the cooking (and who went to the bakery this morning); Maria do Carmo, who takes care of Nicholas (it would be preferable if she were a proper nurse, but we can't afford that); and Fatima, who comes over once a week for a complete cleansing of the apartment: she tackles carpets, bathrooms, windows, balcony, everything.
During Fatima's last visit, 100 reais went missing (that's about 20 pounds). There were only three people in the apartment at the time: myself, Leia, and Fatima. I obviously didn't take the money, and I also know Fatima didn't do it (our family has known her, and her family, for almost thirty years.) So it must have been Leia, though we can't prove it. Now, everytime she is around, I feel uncomfortable. The way she talks, the way she tries to suck up to us. My mother asked me to start locking my wardrobe (where I've hidden my euros) whenever I go out because she cannot be trusted.
It's horrible when the mood in the house is spoiled this way. We try to rationalize the behaviour of the person (she stole because she needed the money urgently, or because she felt we owned so much more than her and could afford to do without the money.) But you know what? It's not right. Our family isn't like the many rich in Brasil who have gained their money through corruption. My dad actually worked from the bottom to get where he was, and everything we have was bought with the money from his work. My mom doesn't seem too bothered by this latest event, mainly because her entire life has been an ongoing history of maids that steal, cheat and lie. She even had all of her most precious jewellery stolen by one of them, not to mention the many others who have caused all kinds of trouble in our house (remind me one day to tell you the story of Geni).
My brother and I are no longer going to Natal, or staying in that hotel. Thanks a lot to whoever cast a olho gordo (fat eye) on us! I'm calling all sorts of travel agencies today to try to secure a trip to Bahia. But I'm not telling you anymore until everything is 100% for sure. Bragging about holidays only leads to disasters.
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no subject
on 2005-03-03 08:59 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2005-03-03 09:37 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2005-03-03 09:44 pm (UTC)