Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 26oC, hot, sunny and slightly cloudy.
It is Sunday, the day I usually reserve for myself. The morning is just for me. I am not Richard, I am not a dad, etc. Nobody knows my name, so nobody can call me to do something because they do not know it on a Sunday morning.
In the past, when I lived in Flamingo and was married to Nalva, Sunday mornings were reserved for reading the newspaper. I used to take my boxers, Bruce and Petra, to the park early at around 5:30-6.00 am. Afterwards, I would have a coffee on the way back and pick up a newspaper from the stand on the corner of my street.
When I arrived home, Nalva and Yasmin would often still be asleep. I would make myself a coffee and read the newspaper. If they were awake, I would have another coffee. Sometimes, I would watch Formula One simultaneously, as most races would start between 9:00 and 10:00 Brazilian time.
Now, I hardly ever watch a race or follow Formula One after Ayrton Senna died on the 1st of May 1994. For me, it is not the same as before. It has become a little monotonous and boring. Brazil would stop to watch a race when there was one on a Sunday; it was sacred then to watch Ayrton Senna racing.
Of course, he is considered one of the best Formula One drivers of all time. He won three world championships, unlike Michael Schumacher’s and Lewis Hamilton’s seven.
However, Senna had an aggressive driving style that was unprecedented. Like Schumacher and Hamilton, he was also highly focused as a driver, which is perhaps one of the most essential characteristics of being a world champion. At that time, Brazil had very few internationally respected heroes.
There were Brazilian football players who, historically, over the last 40-50 years, have won the hearts of any football appreciator. And obviously, not forgetting Pele, considered one of, if not the best football player of all time. But that is another discussion.
People liked Ayrton Senna because he was a nice guy. There were no scandals with women, ex-colleagues, etc. He was genuinely a nice guy, not just here in Brazil but also internationally, on the race and Formula One circuit. Even though he was successful and won races, everybody liked him. He was popular with everybody and was humble.
When Ayrton Senna died, it was a massive loss to the world of motor racing, particularly in Formula One, and to Brazil, as he was a great ambassador for the country. His passing seemed to affect Brazil’s credibility and popularity. I lived in Rio with Cibele then and had business in Sao Paulo. On the day of the procession for his coffin, which was on top of a fire engine, going through the main streets of Sao Paulo, I was there to witness it.
I had just arrived in Sao Paulo for an important meeting related to boat building and technology transfer from England to Brazil. As I was making my way to the meeting, all the traffic stopped, and from a viaduct, I looked down to see the procession of hundreds, if not thousands, of cars following the fire engine with Senna’s coffin.
The procession moved slowly, and the fire engine looked impeccably bright red, adorned with wreaths and carrying his coffin on top. It was a warm, sunny day in Sao Paulo, and as I looked around, I saw everyone out of their cars, paying their respects to the hero that had passed.
It was a powerful and moving sight that will stay with me forever. Senna’s charisma and pure talent made it difficult for me to remain interested in Formula One, even though it has supposedly improved in the last couple of years.
So, Sunday mornings are usually reserved for me, and today, I decided to take Perola for a walk with me. When she found out she was going out, she was very happy. We walked up Praia de Botafogo with the bay on my right and then turned left into Avenida Rui Barbosa, an exclusive street in front of the bay. As I was coming back, I entered the park to do a quick 40-minute exercise session. When I left the park, I walked up and around Flamengo, making a circle to return home.
On the way back, I met a friend of mine, an ex-pupil, Eduardo Nakao, who is of Japanese descent. He has just retired from the Brazilian Central Bank. He is one of the most respected economists in Brazil. As a professional, he is considered a legend in the market. He was my pupil when I taught classes at the Central Bank for many years. Eduardo is the epitome of a Japanese person and professional.
He is brilliant, correct, and disciplined. He will trust you only after time and only after knowing you well. During his career, he exercised much power in the financial markets and was always humble, trying to be discreet. He never exaggerated or wanted to prove his power. He was extraordinarily humble and focused on all he did. He helped me open the school when I was trying to do so 25 years ago, for which I am eternally in his debt.
We talked for about 10 minutes, catching up on everything happening economically and politically in Brazil. It is always good to talk to people who know more than you do about specific areas or subjects, and it was especially nice to talk to him. He is a gentleman.
When Perola and I arrived home, Nalva and Yasmin were up. It was about 10:30. I took a shower, changed, rested, and worked a little on the websites. Working on the sites is enjoyable; it does not feel like work; it is a pleasure. Time flies by quickly when you do something you like, especially if you are making or possibly making money.
We had a late lunch, and I bought a roasted chicken from the local bakery, which we had with rice and beans for a simple but good Sunday lunch. The day went well despite the heat. It is winter, and it is 30°C. It is too hot. I will probably complain about the rain and cold when I go to England.
I posted two blogs at the end of the day. It was a very productive day.
In bed by 9.30 pm.
Thank you.
Thanks for reading this blog post. Please explore my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Richard
