Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 24oC, warmish, sunny, and slightly overcast.
It is my second Sunday in Flamengo and more tranquil than last week’s Sunday; just arriving was a turbulent day of reorganisation and throwing stuff away so that there could be the minimum quality of life to work in peace.
Now that everything has settled, this Sunday was special as I could do something I have not done for a long time: walk from Flamengo to Marina da Gloria. In the past, when I had the dogs and lived in Flamengo for about twenty years, nearly every weekend, I would either walk with or without the dogs until Marina da Gloria. It is an extraordinary place, and now that the marina is under new management, it is even more beautiful, organised and well-maintained.
Yesterday it was raining, but this morning it is beautiful. Yesterday’s rain had cleared the sky with a beautiful blue sky and a coolish temperature, warm in the sun and cool in the shade; it was a perfect autumn day. I left home at 7 am, a little later than usual, but it was Sunday; there was no rush; it was to enjoy the day. Yasmin was sleeping; I knew she and her mother would not be up until at least half past ten or eleven.
I first went to Carmen Miranda Park for a good workout that lasted more than an hour. I then passed by the convenience store inside the petrol station in Av. Rui Barbosa to have a coffee before going to Marina da Gloria.
Again, when I lived in Flamengo in the past, I would do precisely the same with the dogs; first, I would go to the park and then to the convenience store for a coffee, with the dogs waiting for me outside.
The convenience store seems busier nowadays than before, with extremely helpful waitresses who serve very fast and efficiently. However, the cashier for paying seems arrogant with a chip on his shoulder: well, you cannot have everything.
I see this a lot from being a foreigner, a gringo in Brazil, where some Brazilians have an adverse reaction to meeting foreigners, especially ones who speak and understand Portuguese well, but I do not care.
I walked up Aterro in front of the beach towards the city centre and Marina da Gloria; while on the way, I liked to observe the scenery, the people, and the movement. Again, in Flamengo, the beach area seems cleaner and more organised nowadays than in the past, with even the stalls for selling drinks and snacks looking more professional than before.
The day was beautiful, and it was so good to observe everything around me on such a beautiful day. It took me about forty minutes to an hour to arrive at Marina da Gloria; it took longer because I stopped many times to take photos.
So many beautiful and exciting images and angles passed in front of my eyes and into my mind while walking. A skilled photographer has an open mind and is always ready to capture a moment in any circumstance.
And again, yet again, the marina seems to be better than before, more organised, cleaner and with an ambience of positivity, happiness, and affluence, not something dirty, disorganised, dingy or sloven as it was in the past.
I stood in front of one of the piers, looking out to the horizon, admiring the landscape and the line of buildings from the city centre that run behind the marina, when suddenly a forty-foot sailboat swiftly came in, berthed and dispatched its guests in the mater seconds and minutes.
I walked down to the slip to look closer at the boat; the captain saw me and came to talk. He told me that he had modified the boat for day charter purposes. The boat was old. I knew the manufacturer when I arrived in Brazil thirty years ago; the new layout had made the boat more modern and practical, and he had done an excellent job. We talked for about ten minutes, and when he was ready to go, we said our goodbyes, and he sailed off.
I spent about an hour in the marina looking at boats and taking photos. When I was finished, instead of returning home in front of the beach the way I came, I decided to go back inside, along Aterro’s dual carriageway, which is closed on Sunday for the public to walk, ride bicycles, run, etc.
I bought some sparkling mineral water as it was hot and took some more photos. After an hour, I arrived home feeling happy and fulfilled. It was almost midday, and Nalva had not yet gone to work; she had told me yesterday that she would have to work this afternoon.
Yasmin had already given her mother her Mother’s Day gift, so everything was fine. Nalva had kindly prepared a simple but nice lunch for us before she left.
Late afternoon, Yasmin and I took Perola for a walk, which was an opportunity or excuse to talk to each other. When my daughter and I spend time together, we communicate better while walking or doing something physical, especially outdoors. It was very enjoyable spending quality time with my daughter and Perola.
Back home, I saw some things online and felt happy for such a pleasant Sunday.
In bed by 9.30 pm.
Thank you.
Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.
Richard
