Rio de Janeiro: 29 degrees, hot, sunny and slightly overcast.
The countdown has finished: 0 days. Today, I’m going to England, first to Amsterdam, and then taking a connecting flight to Birmingham. After that, I’ll take a train to Wolverhampton station, where my mother will meet me.
I got up early and went to the Portuguese bakery for the last time, as I think it will be quite a while before I go there again. I wrote an entry in my journal, drank two large black coffees, and after paying, I put another R$20 Reais in the girls’ Christmas box, totalling R$50 Reais altogether that I have put in over the last week. I think that’s not bad, considering I’ve only been a regular customer there since May of this year.
I used to go there in the past when I had the dogs, but that was another time, with a different owner and, obviously, different employees. When I got home, I took Perola for her last walk in the park together. She seemed a little quiet, as if she could sense that I was going to leave her. Dogs have a 6th sense, and they know exactly what their owners are saying to them all the time, even when the owners don’t think so.
I have always had a natural affinity with animals, especially dogs, and Perola has been no exception. We have built a very close and tight relationship over the months; she has been a close and dear companion during my recent times of despair or insecurity. She is special, but I also believe that all dogs are truly special. I’ve written before that one friend once told me that dogs are angels from heaven who have come down to help us, and I genuinely believe that. I’ve seen many cases, including my own, where owning a dog has made me a better person.
When we returned from the park, it was around 9:00 a.m., and it was time to begin packing for my trip. I have a medium-sized grey suitcase and a new grey rucksack. The suitcase is for clothes, shoes, and other accessories that will be checked in, dispatched, and stored in the plane’s hold.
My rucksack will contain my travel documents, journals to write my entries, and my laptop to handle various tasks. Additionally, I’ll pack some other items, such as beads for making bracelets as Christmas gifts for friends, old photos my mother left behind in Brazil from her last visit, four pairs of glasses, a change of clothes, and a few books. All of this will fit into my carry-on bag that I will take with me on the plane.
Everything was more or less packed by midday. Yasmin arrived home from school, and I bought us lunch. In the early afternoon, I double-checked everything. I waited for Nalva to arrive home earlier than usual so I could properly say goodbye to both her and Yasmin before I went. I had a shower, checked everything once more, gave a hug and kiss to both of them and went downstairs with my luggage to call a taxi.
Yasmin stayed at the flat, and Nalva came down with me. While we talked about Yasmin and things to do, I suggested that they both get their passports while I’m away. The taxi soon arrived, and we repeated our goodbyes. After putting my suitcase in the boot of the taxi and my rucksack in the passenger seat at the front, I was on my way.
I’m feeling anxious. It’s not normal for me to feel so much anxiety. I think it was the fear of arriving at the airport, and for some reason, I would not be able to travel. But everything went well and according to plan.
Since my last international flight over 20 years ago, 80% of the process is now automated. I think it is both good and bad. Good because, in theory, everything should be quicker, easier, and cheaper due to automation. Bad because automation is cold; there is minimal, if any, personalised service, kindness, affection, etc.- the personal touch. However, supposedly, this is progress.
The plane arrived late, and it was late in being ready to receive the passengers. It was delayed by half an hour. I live in Rio, and a 1/2-hour delay for cariocas or Brazilians is nothing; however, for Europeans, I’m not so sure.
I have been waiting for Brazil to get its act together for over 30 years, and it still hasn’t happened. If anything, it’s getting worse, so waiting half an hour for the flight is more than acceptable.
It was relatively quick to board, put our bags in the overhead luggage compartments and to be ready for take-off, the captain taxied the plane until the main runway, as soon as he had turned the plane around 90° facing the long runway we were off, he didn’t stop to wait for anybody to compose themselves, in next to nothing we were taking off and flying!
I can’t believe I’m finally going to England after 22 years since my last visit.
In that time, I’ve raised two daughters, managed a business, and navigated the challenges of two families in a beautiful yet chaotic country—all while working tirelessly, often 14 or 15 hours a day, for the past 20 years or so. And I’ve made sure to have a little fun along the way!
No bed, because I’m on a plane and in economy, the poor class. The seats are comfortable, but the actual position is quite uncomfortable. I didn’t get to sleep at all the whole night; the only thing I could do was watch Dune for the thousandth time on the little screen facing exactly in front of me. Throughout the entire night, I fidgeted and fussed, but at least I was happy that I was going to England.
How good is that?
About an hour and a half after take-off, we were served dinner, which was extremely good. However, that is no absolute reference, as I will eat anything and everything. The flight service was highly efficient, albeit somewhat cold; however, it is all part of the experience, and working with the public is not easy. I’m on my way to Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam for my connecting flight to Birmingham, and then I’ll be heading to England.
I am very grateful, and thank you.
Thanks for reading this blog post. Please explore my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Richard
