Journalled on Wednesday, 3rd of May 2023 | Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 26 degrees, warm, sunny, and slightly overcast.
It is Wednesday, the middle of the week, and my living room is stuffed with junk that is not mine, and I have no stove, fridge, or washing machine.
I think the landlady is indirectly telling me my time is up! No problem; I have things to do. I need to find a way to move my stuff from Copacabana to Botafogo, roughly three kilometres away, not far.
I do not have much to take: no fridge, TV, washing machine, bed, sofa, etc., only clothes and personal things in boxes and an inflatable kayak. A few years ago, I gave myself a two-person inflatable kayak for my birthday, which I still haven’t had the chance to use.
I am now going to live literally in front of Botafogo Beach and the protected Bay, with tiny waves, perfect for starting kayaking, with the beauty of the picturesque Guanabara Bay, Sugar Loaf Mountain, and a plethora of yachts and boats from the yacht club.
The curvature of the Bay leads Aterro’s (a public park designed by the famous Brazilian landscape architect Burle Marx) dual-carriageway from Copacabana and the south zone, connecting it with the city centre.
Complementing the Bay’s beauty are the greenery and foliage of Aterro, with various trees, including palm and coconut trees, and lawns that form the park separating the Bay from the gardens and residential buildings.
Guanabara Bay and Aterro are references in Rio; everybody knows and enjoys their combined beauty. Walking along the park’s paths that lead you through the green belt of trees before arriving at the beach is really quite amazing. Flamengo Beach was built in the sixties, and although it isn’t the most beautiful in Rio, the view of the Bay and Niterói is impressive.
The park is as beautiful as the Bay, though in a different way. In spring and autumn, it’s surreal to walk in the park by the beach on a warm but not particularly hot day, with a light breeze, and take in the view of the bay and Niteroi.
So, I had to go downstairs to the street to find somebody to take my things to Botafogo on Saturday.
I asked the porter if he knew anyone, and he said he did, but he couldn’t find the person’s business card, so I would have to go out and hunt someone down. There are two squares near where I live where men gather, offering services for the home, etc, including removal.
Just as I put my foot on the street, a Burro sem rabo was stopped exactly in front of me. A Burro sem rabo, or “a donkey without a tail,” is a person who offers local removal services by using an oversized, stretched wheelbarrow. The man pulls the gigantic cart without a horse or an engine.
I could not believe my luck; the universe indeed conspires. I approached the man, who seemed very well-educated and receptive despite being a little dirty and rough around the edges.
I asked him about his availability Saturday morning, and he said he was free. The price he gave me was fair, so we exchanged mobile phone numbers with the understanding that he would be in front of my building at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
We shook hands to close the deal and parted ways until the coming Saturday. I needed to find my lunch, but my first impression of Sergio, the man who would take my things to Botafogo, was excellent, so one more job was resolved.
Again, it is funny; if we permit it, the universe really does conspire in our favour. All we must do is make the decision, no matter how easy or difficult, and let the universe take its course after we do.
I spent the rest of the day giving classes and reading. I should have started preparing and packing my things, but I could not be bothered.
ENOUGH FOR ONE DAY!!!
In bed by 9 p.m.
Thank you.
Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.
Richard
