Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 27oC, very cloudy, grey and rainy.
It is Good Friday, and it is cold and rainy for Cariocas. I worked until a reasonable hour yesterday and then met up with a friend for a quick drink.
We went to a bar/restaurant near Copacabana, where we drank a bottle of Malbec and shared a portion of spicy, seasoned chicken wings with various dips. It was very pleasant, considering that I had not been out at night for almost six months. Even so, it was nothing extraordinary. The company was great, but at nearly 57, going out is not as important as it used to be in the past. I hardly ever drink nowadays.
So, this was the point: waking up the next day after a night of drinking, even though it was only one bottle of wine, my body showed me I was not used to drinking anymore. I do not know if the weather had anything to do with it being cold, grey, and rainy outside; autumn was here.
As the rain was easing off, I slowly got dressed to go out; it was a little later than usual but still early. However, my usual enthusiasm for doing exercise was gone because of the drink the night before. Leaving home at 7 am, I walked until the end of Leme, where I met, complimented, and wished the dog owners a happy Easter.
I only know some of them by sight, whilst for some others, I have a straighter relationship where we sometimes talk. I did not stay for long, 20 minutes at most. As the rain began to fall, I knew it was time to hurry home. On my way back, I stopped at the local bakery to grab some bread and have a cup of coffee. I enjoy sitting outside the bakery on an uneven chair and table, watching the world go by.
It is a kind of therapy for me. While people-watching, I can also use my mobile to watch a YouTube video, retouch a photograph for Instagram, answer a message, or even answer an email. It is a peaceful moment for me.
At lunchtime, I decided to pay Yasmin and Nalva a visit. I mistakenly thought that a party Yasmin was invited to would be held tomorrow, on Saturday, when it was scheduled for tonight.
Yasmin was anxious and showed me and her mother what she had purchased for the party, including a present for the girl’s 15-year debutante party and, more importantly, her outfit.
Yasmin bought a black dungaree dress, as dungarees are the current fashion trend for women in Brazil. Additionally, she had purchased new shoes and other accessories for the party. I needed to know the total cost of everything to help pay for it all.
Nalva tends always to overspend, often beyond her financial means. While this behaviour is unwise or even stupid, there may be some rare situations where it is understandable. Despite my attempts to discuss the issue with her, she always has an excuse for her actions.
When we lived together, I often felt more like a father than a husband to her. The father figure that when the daughter does something wrong or stupid is always there to resolve the problem and say, “Don’t worry my daughter, I will resolve it-No problem”!!!
It is like a ball and chain around my neck, where I am always worried about money and Yasmin, forfeiting my freedom from what I would like to do to what I must do, but this is changing. I had lunch there, and shortly after, I left to go home, still feeling a little broken from the night before.
I stayed to think about things, read a little my book I was in the middle of and went to bed.
In bed by 8.00 pm.
Thanks again.
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Richard
