Wordsley, Stourbridge, England: 3 degrees, cold and cloudy with rain on the way.
It is very cold, rainy and damp. This kind of weather I don’t remember from my childhood, which seems normal nowadays in England.
I also believe the weather plays a significant role in shaping how we behave and live our lives on a day-to-day basis.
In Rio, a tropical city where winter is comparatively mild, the rest of the year remains warm and hot, with the summer being extremely hot, allowing cariocas to be spoiled. Rarely does a carioca wear a real raincoat, only on extremely adverse and rare occasions. It is more common to prefer wearing as few pieces of clothing as possible to avoid discomfort from overheating and sweating.
The possibility of going out at any time of day, due to the weather, is something that cannot be said for England. Going to the beach, exercising in front of it, drinking a beer or enjoying something else outside, sitting at a table on the pavement while watching people pass by, etc., is very normal in Rio and extremely pleasant.
What upsets this is the threat to public safety, where people have become increasingly afraid to go out, especially at night, as petty crime is rampant and is escalating, becoming a serious problem in Rio and other large cities in Brazil. In Rio, you are almost free to do as you please, thanks to the weather, but the primary concern is ensuring your physical well-being and safety.
In England, where my mother lives, there is an abundance of natural woodlands and greenery that line the network of canals built during the Industrial Revolution. This man-made infrastructure creates an open and resonant environment that is often hidden and hard to distinguish from the surrounding urban confusion.
Since I have been in England, I’m enchanted and impressed to see how much life exists here that I hadn’t known existed. Just a 5-minute walk from my mother’s home, while walking along the canals, I have seen ducks, swans, and squirrels that, for me, have now become something quite regular yet special.
When I went to the north to visit my brother, Steven took me to the Yorkshire Moors, where we saw a large adult deer which was quite impressive, and by car from where my mother lives, 5 minutes driving you are again in the English countryside, surrounded by farmland with sheep, cows, lots of horses, fields with plantations and woodland everywhere.
This horse culture, which I had not previously noticed, is very widespread in England. Historically, the horse was the primary means of transport and a vital farm tool. I believe that since medieval times, a key aspect of English culture and history has been the connection between the era of conquest and the use of the horse.
In aristocratic society, the horse symbolises nobility, as exemplified by the king and his steed, while also representing power in warfare. England is renowned for being the centre of the world for both horse racing and show jumping, and is a hub for equestrianism—a sport deeply embedded in English culture and, for some, a way of life.
Once again, the weather shapes the British people’s culture and mental health. The weather affects our behaviour, and when it’s cold, rainy, damp, and generally miserable outside, it becomes hard to go out. In Rio, you can go out and do anything, work, or anything else at any time; the weather isn’t a deciding factor.
In England, it is. Working in temperatures below 10 degrees is tough; it’s not easy, and it’s quite common in England. And if you add rain to the mix, then, in my view, it becomes ten times harder and much more brutal.
What I have also observed is that, due to harsh weather conditions, people tend to age more prematurely here compared to Brazil. It may just be my impression, and there’s no scientific evidence to support this, but I feel that if you don’t take care of yourself here, you’re likely to age more quickly.
You could say this about any place in the world, but I believe it is more common here. I think the weather in England takes a toll on one’s health, and as a result, poor health and health problems generally appear at an earlier age in England than in Brazil.
English women suddenly appear older and less attractive compared to those in Brazil, and Englishmen seem to be beaten to death and worn down by the weather, probably from working outside. I also believe that people’s eating habits play a significant role in determining their health.
In Brazil, there is an abundance of all-natural and fresh produce that you can physically select. It is normal in Brazilian culture to eat and cook fresh rather than relying on the convenience and abundance of processed and prepared foods that are so common in England.
It’s amusing how, in England, most fruit and vegetables are pre-packed in plastic bags with set quantities. You can’t select exactly how much you want; you can only do that by visiting a local greengrocer. In supermarket chains, it seems impossible.
I’m not entirely sure if my observations are 100% accurate, but only time will tell.
The rest of the day, I took care of errands, resolved some outstanding tasks, and gave some classes: a typical, good day, a productive day.
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
