Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 25oC, warmish, sunny, and slightly overcast.
What a wonderful day! I am temporarily living with my ex-wife and my youngest daughter. This idea began when I had to give back my flat in Copacabana to the owner, who needed it due to her family’s needs.
The apartment was not mine, so naturally, I had to go, and I preferred to go as soon as possible in order not to cause any inconvenience.
Whilst also having the pendency of needing to go to England to sort out family problems and see how my mother’s health is, it would be difficult to rent a flat for a brief period, let alone maintain it whilst in England.
The first thought of living with my ex was something that I did not like so much. However, as the idea matured over time and after talking a lot to Yasmin, it seemed a reasonably logical idea. There was no pretension of Nalva and I getting back together; it was just for me to resolve some issues before travelling and guarantee that both Yasmin and Nalva are in a comfortable, stable situation here in Brazil while I am away.
This part of helping Yasmin and Nalva while living with them before going to England has become increasingly apparent since I have been with them. Nalva struggles with staying organised.
Although she can clean and maintain her living space, she tends to put tasks off and makes excuses for being late or delayed. As a result, household chores and other responsibilities pile up over time.
For example, dirty dishes from the day before, the dirty linen basket overflowing with dirty clothes, and the floor swept.
Still, the rubbish, dirt and dust not collected and thrown away, just left there waiting, or the garbage of the day before overflowing, needing to be thrown away and changed, as if the bag is waiting to grow legs so that it can walk on its own to the garbage bin at the end of the corridor and throw itself away.
I have helped to organise things, showing her that you should not live like this and that once you begin to do something, whatever it is, you must finish it without distractions or delays, no matter what. I have also repaired many things that had needed to be repaired, the toilet seat, the electric shower, and hooks on the walls to pin up things to make the ambience tidier, more organised and a better feeling of living there. A good man’s touch in some ways.
This agreement between Nalva, Yasmin, and I was not romantic in terms of Nalva and me getting back together; it was just something that could be good for all of us for a brief period. As we have a daughter in the middle, her welfare is essential for both of us.
In the morning, I walked to Copacabana to visit a friend who had just moved into a new apartment. She wanted to show it to me, so we spent the morning together and then parted ways as she had to work, and I had things to do. Instead of returning to Flamengo, I took the bus and continued until Gloria.
I got off the bus in front of Marina da Gloria and walked around the marina for about an hour. I also bought a bottle of sparkling mineral water from a shop inside the marina. As I strolled around the piers, admiring the boats, I took photos and saw some turtles swimming inside the marina, which was quite lovely.
I then made my way home, walking along Aterro in front of the beach, observing the people on the beach with the bay and Niteroi in the background, a blue sky and without the heat of the carioca summer; it was enjoyable.
When I arrived home, I had lunch and the minimum verbal contact with my daughter for the rest of the day as my name is still Dirt!!!
In bed by 11.00 pm.
Thank you.
Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.
Richard
