Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 26oC, sunny and slightly overcast.
As this Sunday is the eve of Labor Day, a bank holiday, Yasmin will stay with me. I got up early as usual and did a heavy workout until about half past seven.
I then passed by the bakers for two coffees, sitting outside, watching the world pass by, posting photos I had manipulated before, and afterwards going to the supermarket to buy food for the next couple of days.
Yasmin woke up at about midday. I was a little disappointed with her for waking up so late, but she told me that she was inspired last night and drew until two in the morning. I did not tell her to go for a walk today because I wanted us both to organise our things for the move.
I told her to separate all her clothes, books, stuff, etc., and what she did not want to take back to her mother’s, we would give to someone. I get the impression that Yasmin is becoming more organised and tidier.
I do not know if it is because of me and that I have influenced her because she is a girl, or even that she is getting older and becoming more mature and responsible. Last week, she voluntarily organised all the kitchen cupboards with the pots and pans, cutlery, crockery, etc.; she did it very well; I was impressed!
I think she is beginning to value and appreciate her own space, to organise her things, her room, and her little world, and while she is doing this, she listens to music or watches videos.
At about four in the afternoon, I suggested we have a late lunch below in a Pé limpo (a clean foot, slang for a simple but clean restaurant, bar, boteqim) next to our building. Rio is full of botequims, Pé limpos, Pé sujos clean and dirty foots; the secret is knowing which is which.
A significant cultural difference between Rio and Sao Paulo is that bars and restaurants in Sao Paulo are usually closed ambiences, just like in Europe or the States, whereas, in Rio, most bars and restaurants are open or extended out into the street like a kind of alfresco dining.
I love botequim food; it is usually high-quality, extremely delicious, and not expensive. With Rio being so beautiful and the weather so pleasant, sitting outside at a table in front of a botequim, eating and drinking with loved ones or friends and watching the movement is priceless.
Yasmin ordered a stroganoff, which was no surprise, as it is usually exceptionally good at this botequim, while I had nothing. I was not so hungry; I just ordered a glass of wine, and we talked about life and its future changes and challenges. After the late lunch, we walked around the block, bought another açai, and went home.
Yasmin watched a film; I watched another and was in bed by 9 pm.
Thank you very much.
Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.
Richard
