Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 26oC, hottish, sunny, and slightly overcast.
Yes, today is the day that Yasmin gets her ear pierced. Even though I am feeling sick, I am up early, out in the street by 5:30 a.m., and working out until quarter to seven.
I am back home by seven, and I have classes straight through until half past three. The piercing appointment was at 4 pm in the city centre. I told Thaise, the girl, that maybe we would be a little late, but we would definitely be there.
We left home at twenty-five to four, walked half a kilomoketre to Flamengo metro station, and went down to the platform, northbound for the city centre. The platform was not so full, but it was a Friday, and it was nearing rush hour for everybody who worked in the south zone of Rio but lived in the north zone.
As expected, when the metro pulled into the station, it was so full that it was literally like faces pressed against the windows.
We ran down the platform, passing two or three wagons, looking for a lesser-packed wagon or entrance, but it was impossible. We had no choice; if we wanted to arrive on time or not be too late for the appointment, we would have to enter the metro in any way or form.
Generally, in this situation, you follow who is entering in front of you; the person in front opening the way for you to enter usually reduces a little stress; it is a technique, but it is not always guaranteed to work.
We finally got on; Yasmin was always very close to me. We tried to find a little extra space but could not. The experience of taking the Carioca Metro during rush hour on a Friday afternoon was unbearable and inhumane.
Public transport in Rio has been a big problem for a long time. One of the jokes that remind me of the reality of taking public transport in Rio is, “They transport cattle better,” which is probably true. The metro during rush hour sounds terrible, but worse is the bus service, especially the 474 from Leme to Triagem.
This bus line is famous for a hijacking at gunpoint that happened twenty or so years ago in Jardim Botanico, where, unfortunately, a female hostage lost her life when the police tried to disarm the kidnapper. The kidnapper died on the way to the police station or hospital, which was another confusion that has not been adequately explained until today, and a film was made depicting what had happened.
The 474 is also notorious for being probably the most dangerous and violent bus route in Rio de Janeiro. It runs from Triagem in the north zone, surrounded by some of the largest and most dangerous favelas in Rio de Janeiro, to Copacabana and its beach in the south.
So, in the summer, with everybody wanting to go to the beach, and the beach is for everyone, the population of the north zone migrates to the south, with the lower classes either going by metro or bus. The 474 during the summer period is Russian Roulette; you never know what could happen.
When I lived in Benfica in the north zone for almost three years, I would take the bus every day to go and come back from the school in Copacabana. During the week, it was not so bad, but at the weekend, it was hell. I have fought to defend myself or whoever was with me with fists flying and the police arriving on this bus line at least four or five times.
We got off the metro in Estaçao Uruguaio, the old commercial part of Rio’s city centre, on the edge of the part with more modern buildings and office blocks. This part is known as Saara, full of retail shops, street sellers, discount shops, etc. You can buy anything cheap in Saara.
We quickly arrived at the tattoo and piercing studio. The shop had a window glass front with jewellery piercing samples aligned in trays for future customers to see and choose. Inside the shop was a counter at the far end of the room with two women behind it, meeting and greeting the customers.
It was clear that one was the receptionist, an older black lady with a lovely smile from her perfectly white teeth, and then there was Thaise, who I recognised from her Whatsapp messages and the confirmation of our appointment.
Before coming to Brazil, I dated Brazilian women in London and was also part of the Brazilian community in London, where there were many girls like Thaise. Due to Brazil’s beach and surf culture, I call them Beach Bunnys.
They are beautiful, short girls with attractive faces and perfectly tanned bodies. They have long, sun-stained hair and some tattoos and are full of confidence. They know they are beautiful and unique.
The only thing that flawed her appearance for me was the nose piercing, like that of a cow or a goat, for the farmer to lead the animal in any direction. I am unsure if this kind of piercing has any significance, but for me, it is a turnoff, even though it seems to be very popular among young girls at the moment.
Thaise kindly explained everything to us, more importantly to Yasmin, as she would have to take care of her ear piercing for the next couple of months so that it does not get infected. We filled out a form, I paid, of course, and then we went to the backroom with a type of doctor’s bed for Yasmin to sit on.
It was all done in less than ten minutes. Yasmin did not jump, complain, cry, etc; everything was good. We thanked her for her attention and patience and left with Yasmin feeling happy and realised.
In half an hour, we were back home, and Yasmin was already treating and looking after her piercing with care and attention. Yasmin is not the vainest of girls. Truthfully, she is not very feminine at all, and she is even a little relaxed. As this piercing was important to her, she seemed to be taking more care of herself.
When Nalva arrived home at about 6 pm, the main topic of conversation was the piercing, her ear, and the care needed for the next couple of months.
We decided to go out for dinner and eat esfihas in Largo do Machado, inside the traditional Condor gallery. It is famous in Rio for its Arab food. I had not been there for a long time, and the Esfihas were very good.
It was a nice day. I did what I should have done as a father. I also worked and ate esfihas, which were very good, too!!!
In bed by 11.00 pm.
Thank you very much.
Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.
Richard
