“The Hotel Housekeeper" | Memoir | Part V of VI | Travel Journals

An official trip to Argentina took an amusing turn when a determined hotel housekeeper, with her rapid Spanish and swift cleaning skills, transformed a routine moment into a memorable encounter!

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Before each trip, I always make it a point to check the weather at my destination. However, this time, I misread the weather forecast for Buenos Aires. I packed light clothing, expecting summer warmth, only to find a chill in the air upon arrival. This unexpected twist provided the perfect excuse to go shopping! I bought a coat, a hat, gloves, two sweaters, tights, and two corduroy skirts.

After my shopping spree, I decided to explore the city further. I visited a museum and spent the day walking, walking, and walking until nightfall. I was exhausted and hungry by then, so I returned to the hotel.

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Once in my room, I treated myself to a hearty meal: a well-cooked T-bone steak, a salad, string beans, and broccoli. As I enjoyed my feast, I watched my favorite CNN news anchor, Christiane Amanpour, bring the world to my hotel room television screen. Her voice was familiar and grounding, a comforting presence after a long day of travel and discovery.

Suddenly, there was a tap at the door. I looked out the door’s peephole and saw a woman in a light blue uniform with a name tag that read: Camila. I slightly opened the door and asked the housekeeper if she could return in the morning while I would be at work.

Well, my request went unanswered! Camila pushed her way into my room and started speaking rapidly in Spanish, her words flying like a whirlwind! She pointed at the trash bins and emptied them. She moved swiftly toward the unmade bed, pulled off the sheets, and added fresh ones, all the while keeping up her fast-paced chatter with her hands waving in the air!

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I was smiling at her because she was delightfully amusing. Her energy was contagious, and her determination to complete her duties was admirable.

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She quickly opened the minibar and replaced the Coca-Cola I had drunk earlier that day. She walked speedily into the bathroom and started cleaning the sink, still speaking rapidly in Spanish!

My limited Spanish skills left me clueless about what she was saying, but I made sure to show my agreement with, “Si, Si, senorita. Si, Si.” I didn’t know what I was agreeing to, but I trusted her rhythm and resolve.

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The hotel housekeeper Camila cleaned immaculately!

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The woman housekeeper was so sweet and amusing that I just had to tip her. I signaled to her to wait with a hand gesture, and she paused, looking at me expectantly. I grabbed my purse and gladly gave her $50. She hugged me so tight it took the wind out of my breath, and I giggled.

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I shall never forget Camila, a woman determined to get her work done instead of listening to a silly request to return the next day! Her spirit, her speed, and her smile are forever etched in my memory.

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(Copyright © 2025 by Mia Z. Edwards. All rights reserved.)