Brooms!

The first day that I arrived at my house, Papi's Mom gave me a new broom and some sort of rag thing that looked more like a blanket.

First thought: Why would a broom be so important? I probably used my broom in the U.S. about once a week, to be honest.

Second thought: What is this blanket-looking rag for?

 

I soon found my answer to both questions!  With no carpets, and lots of dirt outside, and being in and out so much, I've never swept so much in my life. I have muscles in places I didn't know you could get muscles on accident.  And that blanket-looking rag is called a 'Jerga' and you wet it and lay it over your broom to "mop."  It's a great idea, because a sponge mop would be worn to pieces in two days on these floors.

 

This is Papi's Mom's "outside broom."  (Next time I dress up for Halloween, I am going to be a witch and this is going to be my broom!) Just as most housewives, she sweeps her outside patio every day.  If inside is hard on a broom, the outside is even harder.  She saves the stick and ties on a new handful of dried brush when the old one wears down.  She didn't even have to explain.... my Mom has an 'outside' broom as well. Although, it is not made of brush, but instead just a demoted old inside broom. 

 

 

Even Sofi likes to get in on all the sweeping.