Rio de Janeiro: 34 degrees, very hot, sunny and slightly overcast.
Instead of cooling down a bit after so many hot days, it feels like someone has cranked up the heat even further; everything is melting from the excess heat.
I have had to go out, even though I didn’t want to, I needed to buy socks. I seldom wear socks in Rio, only with my boots. I’m taking three pairs of boots to England: two for hiking and one for everyday use. The boots will rub and cut my feet if I don’t wear socks.
The cheapest place to buy socks in Rio is “Lojas Americanas,” a well-known and popular chain store in Brazil that is currently struggling financially. The truth is that the retail sector in Brazil is in a deplorable state, with many companies seeking judicial reorganisation, including “Lojas Americanas,” which was the first major company to seek judicial support to organise its finances at the beginning of this year. Since then, many of the stores have closed, but there remains a large one open about a 20-minute walk from where I live.
The problem isn’t just the walk, but also the heat. Even Cariocas, who are used to the heat, are complaining. However, the Carioca summer has already arrived, and Rio is wonderful in the summer. Walking in the South zone of Rio is a pleasure, especially in the summer.
Everything seems more colourful; people are wearing fewer clothes, and they are happier, and all the bars and restaurants are fuller. I found what I was looking for at the shop and then made a round trip, passing through Largo do Machado and Flamengo before returning home.
Largo do Machado is a famous square in Rio de Janeiro. It features a large church on one side and is adorned with beautiful, impressive palm trees that reach heights of 20 meters, lining the two adjacent sides. In the centre of the square, there is a sizable fountain that sometimes operates and sometimes does not, making it a popular spot for gatherings. Occasionally, outdoor theatre productions and cultural events are held here.
The square serves as a vital meeting point, with a well-known shopping gallery on one side and another popular gallery, which includes a cinema, on the opposite side to the church. It holds particular significance as a gathering place for people from Northeast Brazil. On Sundays, during their day off, they come together to engage in conversation and celebrate their culture, notably different from Rio’s.
I estimate the entire round trip was around 10 kilometres on foot. The streets were full of people, perhaps the main reason being that it was a Saturday, but there seemed to be more than usual.
Later, I discovered that there would be a gay parade tomorrow, on Sunday, so perhaps the large number of people in the street was due to this. Additionally, there is a Taylor Swift concert in Rio on Copacabana beach tonight, so there are probably many more tourists from out of Rio because of both the show tonight and the gay parade tomorrow, with both events being held in Copacabana; the prominent place for these kinds of events
Nalva prepared a late lunch, and we ate at about 5:00 p.m. Until then, I had been resting, and after our late lunch, I managed to work a little until it was time for bed at around 10. KLM sent me a confirmation email informing me I could check in online 30 hours before my flight. This is all new to me; I am enjoying the new experiences, such as electronic tickets, seat reservations, and online train tickets for when I arrive at Birmingham Airport, along with airline apps, etc.
It is all new to me; all I need is more money to travel.
Travelling is like going to a football match. The experience doesn’t begin at kick-off; it starts as soon as you put your foot out of the front door to go to the game. Travelling follows the same principle: it isn’t just about arriving at your destination or even boarding the plane; it’s about everything related. Preparation is part of the journey, and the experience has already begun once you leave home.
I am almost ready to travel; I just need to buy a rucksack!
In bed by 10.30 p.m.
Thank you.
Thanks for reading this blog post. Please explore my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Richard
