Journalled on Sunday, 8 October 2023 | Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro: 29 degrees, hot, sunny, clear blue sky.

Today is not as sunny as yesterday.

I decided to take Perola for a walk along the Orla (in front of the beach), where there are sections where she can be let loose. At the moment, I am living in Flamengo, Aterro (a dual carriageway that cuts through Flamengo, connecting the south zone of Rio with the city centre).

Guanabara Bay is a central feature of Rio, bordered by Flamengo and Botafogo beaches. Behind Flamengo Beach lies Aterro Park, a long park that runs from Flamengo to the city centre. It runs parallel to the beach, between it and the dual carriageway known as Aterro, the Jewel.

This road experiences heavy traffic, especially during morning and evening rush hours, when commuters travel between the South Zone and the city centre.

On Sundays, parts of Aterro Park are closed to vehicles, becoming pedestrian walkways for the public. This allows families and friends to enjoy the park freely; you can walk your dog, stroll with your family, or cycle without worrying about cars. It is a wonderful experience to spend time at Aterro Park on a Sunday, as it is popular and hosts many early-morning running events.

Moreover, similar pedestrian road closures occur on Sundays in other neighbourhoods, such as Avenida Atlântica in Copacabana and Avenida Vieira Souto in Ipanema. However, Aterro Park is likely the most diverse and vibrant option in Rio’s South Zone.

I am explaining this because being in the park near heavy traffic with a dog can be dangerous.

It is risky for dogs on a typical day, especially since they tend to stray from their owners when off the lead. Fortunately, Perola stays close to me, like my shadow.

When she wanders off, just one word from me brings her back quickly. She is an exceptionally good dog. Nalva thinks Perola may have been mistreated or abandoned in the past, but I only know she provides me with excellent company. I think we all have some form of abandonment issues.

We walked from Botafogo to Flamengo, passing through the neighbourhood and turning right towards Aterro and the beach. When we reached Aterro, the traffic had been closed since Sunday. This allowed me to let Perola off her leash, and we started walking back along the beach by the bay.

The streets were bustling with activity: families, children on bikes, dog walkers, and joggers. There were many dogs and runners around. Nowadays, a running event typically takes place every weekend at Aterro. Large companies often sponsor these events, particularly those in the running and sportswear industries, such as Adidas, Puma, Nike, and Basics.

The view from Rio of the bay and Niterói on the opposite side is beautiful.

Flamengo Beach may not be the most exclusive or picturesque in Rio, as it was developed about 60 or 70 years ago when the government decided to develop it. The beaches facing the bay are generally calm, with minimal wave action, but the water is often polluted by shipping activity, since Rio is primarily a port city.

However, I recently read that, thanks to Rio’s local council efforts, Flamengo Beach is now suitable for swimming again, better late than never! This marks the first time in a long while that the beach has been deemed safe for bathers, as it was traditionally considered too dirty to swim in. Supposedly, you can now enjoy the water without concern.

Walking alone with Perola and taking in nature’s beauty helps me relax a lot. I am a firm believer in the power of walking.

If my mind is in chaos, going for a walk is the best way to resolve it. It is my therapy; my therapist is a walk. Simply taking a stroll can resolve many of my problems. I can leave home with a head full of worries and return after 45 minutes to an hour, or even longer, with everything sorted out just by walking.

I also appreciate that walking is inexpensive. Living in Rio, I feel privileged to walk in such a beautiful environment. However, walking is beneficial wherever you are. Even when I lived in Rocha, one of the ugliest places in Rio, it was still enjoyable. Walking is always a positive experience; there are no downsides.

We eventually arrived home, tired, and Perola was done for the day. I had a nice lunch and did a little work in the afternoon to prepare for the week ahead.