Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: 29 degrees, hot, Sunny and beautiful blue skies; a lovely day.
It’s my first workday back in Rio. In England, it was four hours ahead of Brazil when I left, so I had the morning until 11 a.m. free to do what I wanted.
Usually, I exercised and journaled in the local café near my mother’s. Here in Brazil, it’s roughly the same, but much earlier. My first lesson starts at 7:00 AM, so it’s better to get up at 5, or even earlier, before 4:30 or 4:45, to allow at least an hour and a half for walking and outdoor exercise.
It’s nice to be back in Rio. I have mixed feelings; sharing with Nalva and Yasmin isn’t ideal, but it has to be until I decide exactly what I will do. I know I will return to England this year; I told Julie in July or August, let’s see, but I also don’t want to feel pressured.
What I do know is that I want my own place where I can go to bed whenever I want and have my own little office or workspace to work without any interruptions or interference. The question is, should I do it in Brazil, which at this moment seems highly unlikely, or go back to England, which may be more difficult at first but better in the long run.
Since I’ve been back, it is clear to me that people here are happier but not more polite. Familiar English people tend to be much more courteous and sometimes more talkative, but not as happy. It is related to the weather; the weather has a significant influence, both directly and indirectly, like culture.
I am feeling happier here in Rio; it is contagious, but at the same time, I am disappointed and frustrated. The reality of Brazil is very evident around me; I would have to be blind not to see how difficult it is at the moment.
I got up at 4:50 in the morning, had a quick wash, got dressed, and left for the park by 5:20. It was still dark; I was heading to probably the most important and iconic park in my life.
It is not large, relatively small, actually, with a tall stone wall surrounding its perimeter and offering views of the Bay and Sugar Loaf Mountain, where I used to take my boxers, the dogs, every day from 5:00 to 6:00 a.m., almost twenty years ago.
When I lived with Nalva and Yasmin before going to England, it was where I would go daily to work out and take Perola. This quaint little park has its ups and downs, where the local council sometimes neglects it and leaves it for a while with long grass, litter, and signs of abandonment, which is a significant issue in Brazil, especially politically.
Many times, Brazilian politicians know how to start something, set it up, and implement it. However, they do not necessarily know how to maintain it, keep it functioning, and manage it well so that it does not fall into disrepair. Which, in many cases, can be a great pity.
This is very common in public administration and projects, including existing ones that require maintenance—such as public parks, roads, streets, and infrastructure. The usual pattern is that suddenly, during an election, an elected politician appears, reforms or refurbishes what is needed, which is usually the minimum, and then showcases it for the next election as if they are doing us a favour.
Sometimes, what was good and proactive for the community from one politician is reversed, removed, or destroyed by the newly elected politician. It is a very selfish and thoughtless approach, but it is very common here in Brazil: cancelling what the previous politician did, even if it was beneficial for society.
Lula, since taking power a year and a half ago, has dismantled many positive initiatives and resources from previous governments. He is at the top of the pyramid; as president, he occupies the highest point in society, from which influence flows down and affects all the other layers below. Again, it is pitiful, and this is why Brazil currently has no clear future to grasp hold of.
Nothing is planned; there is no medium- or long-term plan for the well-being of this country and its people, just rape, pillaging, and plundering, precisely the same as the Portuguese 500 years ago. Nothing has changed!
So, the day was spent tidying the flat, trying to put everything in its rightful place, which is tricky when your ex-wife is a bit of a hoarder.I don’t need to do everything in one go; little by little, I will start organising things and discreetly dispose of those Nalva doesn’t need and won’t notice right away.
I will eventually need to speak to her. I know it will do little good, but I must do it for both her and myself, and at least try to preserve my own sanity.
As I mentioned before, Brazil and Rio are happy, and it’s contagious, which I feel has already influenced my classes. Why and how do poor choices and compulsory voting oppress happy people?
A nice, productive day, the first day back.
In bed by 10:00 p.m.
Thank you.
Thanks for reading this blog post. Please explore my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Richard
