Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 27oC, hot, sunny and a little stormy.
I live in a cosy rented flat on Rua Duvivier in beautiful Copacabana. The street has a charming ambience, with lush trees flanking both sides. It also boasts an array of shops, bars, and restaurants that cater more to tourists.
Additionally, a few 3- and 4-star hotels are located in the area. Overall, Rua Duvivier is a pleasant street with a welcoming atmosphere. The flat is located on the 10th floor at the back of the building. The living room is of a decent size.
It has large windows which overlook a vast open space with only blocks of flats from the next street, situated approximately a hundred metres away, whilst also being able to catch a glimpse of Copacabana beach and the sea from the windows.
The sun rises in the morning, so the flat can get quite hot early in summertime. The amount of sunlight that streams through the windows and curtains in the morning is breathtaking and illuminates the entire room beautifully.
The living room connects to the small kitchen, the large main bedroom, and the bathroom. The kitchen is small but well-organized and serves as a passageway through the maid’s bedroom and bathroom, a common feature in many apartments in Brazil.
Until about a decade ago, it was common for middle-class Brazilian families to employ a live-in maid who would work throughout the week and return home only on weekends.
However, due to government regulations and new legislation, the profession of housekeeper or servant has become more regularised, making it more difficult for middle-class families to afford and employ a maid.
I converted the maid’s bedroom into Yasmin’s second bedroom. The room already had shelves, so it was just a matter of painting it, adding a bed, and organizing it a little more to improve it and make it more cosy.
My main bedroom is proportionally large compared to the size of the flat. As you enter, there is a fitted wardrobe next to the door. Facing the opposite wall, there is a large window that looks out parallel to the window from the living room. I made a large work desk in front of the window from plywood that sits on wooden easels.
This is my workstation, my home office; it is equipped with my computer, printer, notebook, paper, pens, notes, etc. I usually work facing the window and keep the curtains partially closed due to the sun. Behind me is my bed. The energy of this setup is very nice; I am able to work well here; now that I know that I will lose it, I value it even more.
I will have to move out of my current flat at the end of this month. The reason is that the owner needs her flat back for personal reasons. However, finding a good and affordable flat in Brazil is quite challenging, especially given the country’s current political and economic situation.
Therefore, I am thinking about talking to my ex-wife about the possibility of temporarily moving in with her until I leave for England. This will help me sort out some things before my departure and ensure that everything is okay with Yasmin and Nalva before I leave. I have already discussed this with Yasmin for her opinion, and then I spoke to Nalva.
Yasmin thought it would be okay for a brief period; she had reservations about her mother. I also think that she feels safer when I am around. Nalva accepted the idea with ease, without any hesitation.
I believe that she still likes me and that there is still some hope deep down. I have been telling Nalva for some time now that she should find a bigger and better flat, and I would pay for it. The flat they are currently living in is no longer spacious enough.
During this time, I will be able to save money as I won’t be paying rent for two places. This will allow me to pay off some debts, get my finances in order, and resolve some issues, such as getting another copy of my Brazilian ID before heading to England.
This significant change requires careful handling due to the involvement of people and emotions. Therefore, care is crucial. If someone had told me a year ago that I would be living with my ex-wife in a year’s time, I would have thought they were crazy.
But life has a way of taking us on unexpected journeys, and we must learn to navigate through these changes. These paths lead to better things, not worse.
Life is like a roller coaster ride, full of difficulties. Learning to trust life and go with the flow can be challenging but it is crucial. When you trust life and everything it brings your way, you also start trusting yourself more. You begin to believe in your ability to succeed, not just for yourself but also for others.
In bed by 11:00 pm.
Thanks again.
Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.
Richard
