Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 31 °C, hot, sunny and slightly overcast.
Early exercise and work, giving classes and studying in the morning and afternoon. At the end of the day, I had to take Yasmin to one of her classmates’ birthday parties in a restaurant in Tijuca.
Tijuca is a neighbourhood in the north zone of Rio. Full of the hustle and bustle of people, cars, Street sellers, etc. For me, Tijuca is remarkably similar to Copacabana. It has the same vibe and architectural appearance as Copacabana, but without the beach.
Tijuca is famous for being hot, notably hotter than other neighbourhoods in the South zone. If it is 25° in Copacabana, it will probably be 30 in Tijuca.
In the past, I didn’t think highly of Tijuca; I had some prejudice against Tijuca. Perhaps because it is in the north zone. I don’t know, but I didn’t really appreciate it that much. Later, after having two girlfriends in Tijuca, I learned to appreciate its charms more. Many quality bars and restaurants.
Lots of little residential side streets and probably one of the best or most well-known shopping centres in Rio, Shopping Tijuca. Everybody loves Shopping Tijuca; it is a hub of activity and attracts people from everywhere around.
Yasmin’s friend was having a birthday party at six in the evening. I had planned to meet Yasmin at Flamengo Metro station at 5:30, as she would get ready at her mother’s place. I arrived early, and she arrived on time. We took the Metro to Tijuca, which took around 30 minutes.
Riding line one or the main line to Tijuca brought back memories of when I used to hurry there to meet Jacqueline or Denise after closing the school in Copacabana in the early evening. The journey from Copacabana to Tijuca crosses the entire city, and when I used to rush there, I would be anxious not to arrive too late.
I have had many wonderful experiences in Tijuca. Despite the fond memories, it’s hard to believe that it was only five or six years ago. It feels like it belongs to another person, another life, and another time.
We arrived at the restaurant where the Rotary pizza dinner was being held. I told Yasmin that I would be waiting outside for her at 9:00 p.m. sharp.
She was both anxious and happy to go in and meet her friends. In the past, she had had a lot of problems with socialising and making friends at school. With help from Monique, her psychologist, and lots and lots of talks from her mother and me, she seems to be happier, more confident, and more secure with herself.
I kissed her for her to go, and then I walked to Shopping Tijuca, passing by many shops, bars and restaurants on the way. I found a comfortable place to sit on the 2nd floor of the shopping centre and began reading my book.
One hour before picking up Yasmin, I decided to look for somewhere to eat near the shopping centre on the way to where Yasmin was. I found a Brazilian juice bar and ordered açai with granola. It was delicious.
At 9:00, I was there waiting in front of the restaurant. Yasmin was already ready to go with her friend, who we would give a lift to in the taxi as she lives near Yasmin in Flamengo. I first dropped off her friend and then Yasmin. Yasmin was very grateful for me taking her and picking her up.
I told her it wasn’t necessary to thank me because she’s my daughter, and it was my pleasure, but I could stillfeel her gratitude. It is a very good feeling when we do simple but meaningful things for our children that make their livesbetter in some way.
It was a good night for all. Yasmin went to her friend’s birthday party, and I reminisced about my past adventures in Tijuca. As a father, I felt complete.
In bed by 11:00 pm.
Thanks again.
Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.
Richard
