Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 26oC, hottish, sunny, clear, and slightly cloudy later.
In the past, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I would begin classes at 8 am, so they were the days where I could have a heavy workout as there were no time restrictions.
Since the middle of this month, I have begun to give classes to a new pupil at 7 am on these days, so I need to either get up earlier than 4.30 am or be more efficient in my exercise series.
Sometimes, it is possible to do both, and other times, only one or the other. Today, I got up at 4.15 and was out in the street by a quarter to five.
I crossed Praia de Botafogo and walked parallel to the Bay towards Praia de Flamengo. Then, I came back on myself to the park and exercised with the TRX straps. I did half an hour of TRX and twenty minutes of skipping. It was an improvised workout, but still good. On the way back, I stopped by the baker’s and had a coffee, and in more than half an hour, I was at home and giving my first class.
I had classes the whole morning and then a quick jump to Copacabana to have a bill printed and paid at the Caixa Loterica (a popular state bank and federal lottery agency). After returning to Flamengo, I am still amazed by the differences between the two neighbourhoods.
I have recently left Copacabana where I lived for two years and had a business for over twenty years. Living in the same place for a long time can make us immune to certain situations and environments. It has become a part of our everyday lives, and we have stopped noticing the adverse effects it can have on us.
I don’t want to criticize Copacabana or overpraise Flamengo, but history seems to be repeating itself once again.
When walking in Copacabana, I felt that I was not walking in a neighbourhood of some city but in an enormous Metropolis where, at any time, I could be inadvertently TRAMPLED ON. Only half an hour before, I was in a typical, calm, easy-going residential neighbourhood of Rio with birds singing in the trees, people walking leisurely, not rushing or running, and traffic at an acceptable level.
I must be careful not to convince myself that after having had to leave my flat in Copacabana, I am convincing myself that it was for the best. Perhaps it is or is not for the better, but it is human nature, and that self-preservation eventually kicks in, fooling yourself that it was for the better. There is a name for this in psychology; I do not know its name, but it exists.
It is when, for example, you win a Ferrari in a draw, you receive the beautiful car, you use it every day, and then suddenly, after a month, the company that administrates the draw calls you up to tell you that there was a mistake and that it was not a Ferrari but a Fiat Uno, a simple popular car.
Your first reaction is of denial and fight, but the people responsible insist, so eventually, you have to swap vehicles from a Ferrari to a Fiat Uno. Then again, after a month of using and driving the Fiat Uno, the people from the company responsible for the draw call you again and ask you how you are doing and if everything is okay.
You, in turn, answer, informing them that everything is perfect, the car is working and driving perfectly, and that maybe it was better to have exchanged cars from the Ferrari to the Fiat Uno, as the Fiat is much more economical, more reliable, doesn’t call so much attention in the street, etc, etc, etc. We often convince ourselves that what initially seemed unfavourable or bad is now our best option, and we are now fortunate that it happened.
We must be careful when deciding whether to accept or reject a new reality. Sometimes, it’s necessary to fight for what’s best for us in the long term rather than simply accepting what’s presented to us. Deceiving ourselves ultimately harms us, so it’s essential to be honest with ourselves.
Copacabana has been in my life for over thirty years, directly and indirectly, and I both love and hate her. In some ways, she is a monster, and like any monster, you have to respect her, or she will kill you. Flamengo does not have the charm or charisma of Copacabana, yet it is an incredibly special neighbourhood, and I love living there very much!
I was back in Flamengo by 5 pm, classes until 8 pm, and in bed by 9.30. It was a good, productive day; I exercised, gave classes, paid for a new course, and walked, which is always good.
You can never go wrong when you walk!!!
Thank you.
Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.
Richard
