Embracing the Carioca Seasons

Journalled on Wednesday, 4 October 2023 | Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro: 27 degrees, hot and sunny.

It is Wednesday, the middle of the week. The weather is unpredictable; sometimes it rains, sometimes it is sunny and hot and sticky, and a few times it is cool.

As an English person, I am accustomed to the rain. I do not mind walking in it, and when I had a bike, I would often ride in the rain. However, the rain in Rio is different; it is usually warm, not cold as in England. In England, cold and rain often go hand in hand and get into a person’s bones.

One thing I dislike about the rain here is how muddy the park gets, which prevents me from exercising. Additionally, Rio de Janeiro has many pavements covered with Portuguese stones, small square stones about two inches by two inches, either black or white. These stones are one of the legacies left by the Portuguese.

Copacabana is famous for its stone pavements, featuring a variety of music-inspired designs and patterns. The promenade along Avenida Atlântica, which runs along the beach, showcases these designs, as do other streets in Copacabana.

The most iconic pattern is the black-and-white wave design, resembling semi-circular waves that capture the scene’s essence. These stones can be found everywhere in Rio. However, caution is essential, as they become extremely slippery when it rains.

Despite this, Rio is enjoyable in all weather and seasons.

I prefer the middle seasons, Spring and Autumn, as they are similar, neither too hot nor too cold. It is usually windy during these seasons, which makes Rio feel more vibrant and alive.

Summer has become too hot for me. As I have got older, my heat tolerance has decreased. In the past, I could spend hours on the beach, basking in temperatures above 40°C. Now, that is impossible. I usually prefer going to the beach either very early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

When I lived at the end of Copacabana, near Ipanema, I had a group of friends with whom I would spend hours talking, drinking, and enjoying ourselves. We would hang out from around 11 until 5 or 6 in the evening. I find that extended beach time is no longer possible, and I do not want to do it any more.

I prefer walking along the beach to sitting or lying in the sun. I enjoy swimming in the sea, but I do so only rarely now. In summer, when the water is just right, not too cold, it feels invigorating. Swimming and bathing in the sea are cleansing for both body and soul, refreshing for the days and weeks ahead.

I learned a lot from the dogs because, when I had them, I had to get up early to take them for a walk.

I needed to be at the school by 6 a.m. to prepare for the first class at 7, so I would take the dogs to a park near my home at 5 a.m. Most of the time, we would leave home while it was still dark. We would go for a one-hour walk, and because of it, I would watch the sunrise in Rio as the city came to life.

Because of this, I have learned to love the mornings and the start of the day. In summer, there is a special light, a golden glow that fills everything. It gives the surroundings a golden appearance, more so than in other seasons. Even though I complain about the heat of the Carioca summer, I still love Rio in this season. It holds many happy memories for me.

The Carioca winter is a concept that, for some, seems almost non-existent.

Over the years, the temperature difference between summer and winter in Rio has diminished significantly. Fashion companies are particularly affected by this change, as they used to design collections specifically for winter, which now barely exist. Investing in warm clothing like jumpers, sweaters and coats does not make sense when most winters in Rio are, at best, just cool.

Furthermore, when the weather drops slightly below normal, with temperatures around 18 to 20°C, Cariocas often complain because they are not accustomed to such cooler temperatures. It may sound surprising, but in some ways, a Carioca winter can feel warmer or even hotter than a summer in England.

I have concluded that Cariocas, in general, are spoiled by the weather. Yes, it can be scorching in the summer, but there are ways to cope with and enjoy it. For the rest of the year, the weather is very pleasant. We are pretty lucky, even though we often do not appreciate it as we should.

We are currently in spring and have already held some rehearsals for the upcoming summer, when temperatures are expected to reach nearly 40°C. I will be travelling to England at the end of November, just as summer begins to heat up.

When I arrive in England, the temperature will be at least 10-15°C lower than in Rio. Staying in England for a few months in the cold may be challenging, but I can handle it. After all, if it does not kill me, it will make me stronger.

What I want to know is whether I can work out outside despite the cold. My mother lives near a canal, a park, and a large open space, making it easy to get up early and continue my morning exercise routine. Only when I arrive will I know for sure.

The truth is, it is all good. I will find a way to make the best of a challenging situation. That is the point: we must learn to adapt to our circumstances, and I will do that when I get there.

Currently, I feel like I am self-sabotaging. I should be finishing the “PlaceBeads” site, but I keep procrastinating. I need to address this. I have also noticed that I am overeating, which may be a form of anxiety about the upcoming trip and its uncertainties. I need to resolve both of these issues.