Journalled on Saturday, 11th of March 2023 | Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 27 degrees, hot, sunny and a little stormy.
I live in a cosy rented flat on Rua Duvivier in beautiful Copacabana.
The street has a charming ambience, with lush trees flanking both sides. It also boasts an array of shops, bars, and restaurants that cater more to tourists.
Additionally, a few 3- and 4-star hotels are nearby. Overall, Rua Duvivier is a pleasant street with a welcoming atmosphere. The flat is located on the 10th floor at the back of the building. The living room is of a decent size.
It has large windows overlooking a vast open space, with only blocks of flats on the next street, about a hundred metres away, while also offering glimpses of Copacabana beach and the sea.
The sun rises early in the morning, so the flat can get quite hot early in the summer. The sunlight streaming through the windows and curtains in the morning is breathtaking, illuminating the entire room.
The living room connects to the small kitchen, the large main bedroom, and the bathroom. The kitchen is small but well-organised and serves as a passageway to the maid’s bedroom and bathroom, a common feature in many Brazilian apartments.
Until about a decade ago, middle-class Brazilian families commonly employed a live-in maid who worked throughout the week and returned home only on weekends.
However, government regulations and new legislation have made the profession of housekeeper or servant more regulated, making it harder for middle-class families to afford and employ a maid.
I converted the maid’s bedroom into Yasmin’s second bedroom. The room already had shelves, so I just painted it, added a bed, and organised it a little more to make it cosier.
My main bedroom is proportionally large for the flat. As you enter, a fitted wardrobe sits next to the door. Facing the opposite wall is a large window that looks out parallel to the one in the living room. I made a large work desk in front of the window from plywood, supported by wooden easels.
This is my workstation, my home office; it has my computer, printer, notebook, paper, pens, notes, etc. I usually work facing the window and keep the curtains partially closed due to the sun. Behind me is my bed. The energy of this setup is very nice; I can work well here. Now that I know I will lose it, I value it even more.
I will have to move out of my current flat at the end of this month. The owner needs her flat back for personal reasons.
However, finding a reasonable, affordable flat in Brazil is challenging, especially given the country’s current political and economic situation.
Therefore, I am considering moving in with my ex-wife temporarily until I leave for England. This will help me sort a few things out before I leave and make sure everything is okay with Yasmin and Nalva. I have already discussed this with Yasmin to get her opinion, and then I spoke to Nalva.
Yasmin thought it would be okay for a brief period; she had reservations about her mother. I also believe that she feels safer when I am around. Nalva accepted the idea easily, without hesitation.
I believe she still likes me, and that deep down there’s still some hope.
I have been telling Nalva for some time that she should find a bigger, better flat, and I’ll pay for it. The flat they are currently living in is no longer spacious enough.
During this time, I can save money because I won’t be paying rent for two places. This will let me pay off some debts, get my finances in order, and resolve issues like getting another copy of my Brazilian ID before heading to England.
This significant change requires careful handling, given its impact on people and emotions. Therefore, care is crucial. If someone had told me a year ago that I would be living with my ex-wife in a year, I would have thought they were crazy.
But life has a way of taking us on unexpected journeys, and we must learn to navigate through these changes. These paths lead to better things, not worse.
Life is like a roller coaster ride, full of ups and downs. Learning to trust life and go with the flow can be challenging, but it is crucial. When you trust life and everything it brings your way, you also start trusting yourself more. You begin to believe in your ability to succeed, not just for yourself but also for others.
In bed by 11 p.m.
Thanks again.
Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.
Richard
