Journalled on Sunday, 10 September 2023 | Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro: 26 degrees, hot, sunny and slightly cloudy.
It is Sunday, the day I usually reserve for myself. The morning is just for me.
I am not Richard, I am not a dad, etc. Nobody knows my name, so nobody can call me to do something because they do not know it on a Sunday morning.
In the past, when I lived in Flamingo and was married to Nalva, Sunday mornings were reserved for reading the newspaper. I used to take my boxers, Bruce and Petra, to the park early, around 5:30-6.00 am. Afterwards, I would have a coffee on the way back and pick up a newspaper from the stand at the corner of my street.
When I arrived home, Nalva and Yasmin were often still asleep. I would make myself a coffee and read the newspaper. If they were awake, I would have another coffee. Sometimes I would watch Formula One at the same time, as most races would start between 9 and 10 Brazilian time.
Now, I hardly ever watch a race or follow Formula One after Ayrton Senna died on the 1st of May 1994.
For me, it is not the same as before. It has become a little monotonous and boring. At that time, Brazil would stop to watch the race; it was sacred to watch Ayrton Senna race, compete and win. Of course, he is considered one of the best Formula One drivers of all time. He won three world championships, compared with Michael Schumacher’s and Lewis Hamilton’s seven.
However, Senna had an unprecedentedly aggressive driving style. Like Schumacher and Hamilton, he was also highly focused, almost obsessive as a driver, which is perhaps one of the most essential characteristics of being a world champion. At that time, Brazil had very few internationally respected heroes; it was really only Senna Da Silva.
There were Brazilian football players who, historically, over the last 40-50 years, have won the hearts of any football appreciator. And obviously, not forgetting Pele, considered one of, if not the best football player of all time. But that is another discussion.
People also liked Ayrton Senna because he was a nice guy. There were no scandals with women, ex-colleagues, etc.
He was genuinely a nice guy, not just here in Brazil but also internationally, on the race and Formula One circuit. Even though he was successful and won races, everybody liked him. He was popular with everybody and was humble.
When Ayrton Senna died, it was a massive loss to the world of motor racing, particularly in Formula One, and to Brazil, as he was a great ambassador for the country. His passing seemed to affect Brazil’s self-esteem, credibility and popularity.
I lived in Rio with Cibele at the time and had business in São Paulo. On the day of the procession for his coffin, which was carried on top of a fire engine through the main streets of São Paulo, I was there to witness it; it is as if it were yesterday, etched in my mind.
I had just arrived in São Paulo for an important meeting on boatbuilding and technology transfer from England to Brazil. As I made my way to the meeting, traffic ground to a halt.
I got out of the car and, from a viaduct, looked down to see a procession of hundreds, if not thousands, of cars following the fire engine carrying Senna’s coffin, while thousands of people lined the street.
The procession moved slowly, and the fire engine looked bright and immaculate, its red paint adorned with wreaths, carrying his coffin on top. It was a warm, sunny day in São Paulo, and as I looked around, I saw everyone out of their cars, paying their respects to the hero who had passed, their faces showing the loss of a family member.
It was a powerful and moving sight that will stay with me forever. Senna’s charisma and pure talent made it difficult for me to remain interested in Formula One; even though it has supposedly improved in the last couple of years, it’s not the same.
So, Sunday mornings are usually reserved for me, and today I decided to take Perola for a walk. When she found out she was going out, she was very happy.
We walked up Praia de Botafogo with the bay on my right, then turned left into Avenida Rui Barbosa, an exclusive street facing the bay. On my way back, I entered the park for a quick 40-minute exercise session. When I left the park, I walked up and around Flamengo, making a loop to return home.
On the way back, I met a friend, Eduardo Nakao, an ex-pupil of Japanese descent. He has just retired from the Brazilian Central Bank. He is one of the most respected economists in Brazil. He is considered a legend in the market. He was my pupil when I taught classes at the Central Bank for many years. Eduardo is the epitome of a Japanese professional.
He is brilliant, correct, and disciplined. He will trust you only after time and after getting to know you well. During his career, he wielded considerable power in the financial markets and was always humble, striving to be discreet.
He never exaggerated or sought to prove his power. He was extraordinarily humble and focused on everything he did. He helped me open the school when I was trying to do so 25 years ago, for which I am eternally in his debt.
We talked for about 10 minutes, catching up on everything happening in Brazil, both economically and politically. It is always good to talk to people who know more than you do about specific areas or subjects, and it was especially nice to talk to him. He is a gentleman.
When Perola and I arrived home, Nalva and Yasmin were up. It was about 10:30. I took a shower, changed, rested, and worked a little on the websites. Working on the sites is enjoyable; it does not feel like work; it is a pleasure. Time flies when you do something you like, especially if you are making money, or even possibly making money.
We had a late lunch, and I bought a roasted chicken from the local bakery, which we had with rice and beans for a simple but good Sunday lunch. The day went well despite the heat. It is winter, and it is 30°C. It is too hot. I will probably complain about the rain and cold when I go to England.
I posted two blogs at the end of the day. It was a very productive day.
In bed by 9.30 p.m.
Thank you.
Thanks for reading this blog post. Please explore my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Richard
