Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 25 °C, warmish, sunny, and slightly overcast.
What a wonderful day! I am temporarily living with my ex-wife and my youngest daughter.
This idea began when I had to return my flat in Copacabana to the owner, who needed it for her family’s needs. The apartment wasn’t mine, so I had to go, and I preferred to do so as soon as possible to avoid causing any inconvenience.
Whilst also having the pendency of needing to go to England to sort out family problems and see how my mother’s health is, it would be difficult to rent a flat for a brief period, let alone maintain it whilst in England.
The first thought of living with my ex was not something I liked much. However, as the idea matured over time and after talking with Yasmin a lot, it seemed a reasonably logical idea. There was no pretence of Nalva and me getting back together; it was just for me to resolve some issues before travelling and to guarantee that both Yasmin and Nalva are in a comfortable, stable situation here in Brazil while I am away.
This part of helping Yasmin and Nalva while living with them before going to England has become increasingly apparent since I have been with them. Nalva struggles with staying organised.
Although she can clean and maintain her living space, she tends to put off tasks and makes excuses for being late. As a result, household chores and other responsibilities pile up over time. For example, dirty dishes from the day before, the dirty linen basket overflowing with dirty clothes, and the floor swept.
Still, the rubbish, dirt and dust are not collected and thrown away, just left there waiting, or the garbage of the day before overflowing, needing to be thrown away and changed, as if the bag is waiting to grow legs so that it can walk on its own to the garbage bin at the end of the corridor and throw itself away.
I have helped to organise things, showing her that you should not live like this and that once you begin to do something, whatever it is, you must finish it without distractions or delays, no matter what. I have also repaired many things that needed fixing, such as the toilet seat, the electric shower, and hooks on the walls to pin up things and make the ambience tidier, more organised, and a better feeling of living there.
A good man’s touch in some ways.
This agreement between Nalva, Yasmin, and me was not romantic in terms of Nalva and me getting back together; it was just something that could be good for all of us for a brief period. As we have a daughter in the middle, her welfare is essential for both of us.
In the morning, I walked to Copacabana to visit a friend who had just moved into a new apartment. She wanted to show it to me, so we spent the morning together, then parted ways because she had to work and I had things to do.
Instead of returning to Flamengo, I took the bus and continued to Gloria. I got off the bus in front of Marina da Gloria and walked around the marina for about an hour.
I also bought a bottle of sparkling mineral water from a shop inside the marina. As I strolled around the piers, admiring the boats, I took photos and saw some turtles swimming inside the marina, which was quite lovely.
I then made my way home, walking along Aterro in front of the beach, observing the people on the beach, the bay, and Niteroi in the background, with a blue sky and without the heat of the carioca summer; it was enjoyable.
When I arrived home, I had lunch and minimal verbal contact with my daughter for the rest of the day, because my name is still Dirt!!!
In bed by 11 p.m.
Thank you.
Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.
Richard
