Journalled on Friday, 7th of April 2023 | Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 27 degrees, very cloudy, grey and rainy.
It is Good Friday, and it is cold and rainy for Cariocas. I worked until a reasonable hour yesterday and then met up with a friend for a quick drink.
We went to a bar/restaurant near Copacabana, where we drank a bottle of Malbec and shared spicy, seasoned chicken wings with various dips. It was very pleasant, considering I hadn’t been out at night for almost six months.
Even so, it was nothing extraordinary. The company was great, but at nearly 57, going out isn’t as important as it used to be. I hardly ever drink nowadays.
So, this was the point: waking up the next day after a night of drinking, even though it was only one bottle of wine, my body showed me I was not used to drinking anymore. I do not know if the weather had anything to do with it being cold, grey, and rainy outside; autumn was here.
As the rain was easing off, I slowly got dressed to go out; it was a little later than usual, but still early.
However, my usual enthusiasm for doing exercise was gone because of the drink the night before. Leaving home at 7 am, I walked to the end of Leme, where I met the dog owners, complimented them, and wished them a happy Easter.
I only know some of them by sight, whilst with others I have a more direct relationship, where we sometimes talk. I did not stay for long, 20 minutes at most. As the rain began to fall, I knew it was time to hurry home.
On my way back, I stopped at the local bakery to grab some bread and have a cup of coffee. I enjoy sitting outside the bakery on an uneven chair and table, watching the world go by.
It is a kind of therapy for me. While people-watching, I can also use my phone to watch a YouTube video, retouch a photo for Instagram, reply to a message, or even respond to an email. It is a peaceful moment for me.
At lunchtime, I decided to visit Yasmin and Nalva. I mistakenly thought the party Yasmin was invited to would be held tomorrow, Saturday, when it was scheduled for tonight.
Yasmin was anxious and showed her mother and me what she had purchased for the party, including a present for the girl’s 15-year debutante party and, more importantly, her outfit.
Yasmin bought a black dungaree dress, as dungarees are the current fashion trend for women in Brazil. She also bought new shoes and other accessories for the party. I need the total cost of everything to help pay.
Nalva tends to overspend, often beyond her financial means. While this behaviour is unwise or even stupid, there may be some rare situations where it is understandable. Despite my attempts to discuss the issue with her, she always has an excuse for her actions.
When we lived together, I often felt more like a father than a husband to her. The father figure who, when the daughter does something wrong or stupid, is always there to resolve the problem and say, “Don’t worry, my daughter, I will resolve it. No problem!”
It feels like a ball and chain around my neck; I am always worried about money and Yasmin, giving up my freedom to do what I want in favour of what I must do, but that is changing. I had lunch there, and shortly after, I left to go home, still feeling a little broken from the night before.
I stayed to think, read a bit of the book I was in the middle of, and went to bed.
In bed by 8 p.m.
Thanks again.
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Richard
