Journalled on Wednesday, 8 November 2023 | Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro: 27 degrees, hot and very sunny.
In exactly two weeks, I’ll be heading to England. The countdown is on. Well, I genuinely hope so, and that the 22nd of November will indeed be the date of my flight.
Why do I mention this?
I can’t recall whether I flew to England last time or the one before, when my British passport expired. I realised it had expired while I was at the airport in the check-in line, waiting to have my bags dispatched.
I was waiting to check in when a flight attendant approached the queue, checking everyone’s documents and tickets. When I showed mine, she told me I couldn’t travel that day because my passport had expired.
I had to quickly rearrange everything, including the flight and a new passport, for two days later.
I was fortunate because, at that time, British passports were issued at the consulate in Flamengo. Nowadays, they are issued in Washington, DC, for the whole of the Americas. I don’t know why; perhaps it’s due to centralisation and control. I was lucky. If it were today, it could take an additional month.
Hopefully, the plan is to fly on the 22nd of this month. I will probably check all the documentation, apart from my passport and Brazilian ID, this weekend. This is important to show that I have residency here in Brazil when I leave the country. A friend of mine mentioned vaccinations, particularly for COVID and Yellow fever; I have both, and I believe the vaccination papers are with my passport.
Travel insurance is a hassle. It’s hit me hard today. I’ve asked Antonio, a student specialising in tourism and travel insurance, to provide me with some quotes. I think that, as I have a British passport, I won’t need travel insurance, and with all I’m currently paying out, it is literally impossible to cover one more expense.
It is what it is. Everything is progressing in the right direction, even if there are a few minor hiccups. Everything is set for the 22nd of November: Rio de Janeiro to Schiphol in the Netherlands, Schiphol to Birmingham International Airport in England, and then a train to Wolverhampton, followed by a bus, taxi, or lift from Wolverhampton train station.
Today, Jessica messaged me to ask about my trip. I replied, suggesting we all meet before I travel. She proposed lunch and said she would speak to Mario. Their lunches are always pleasant and typically quite fun. It’s a pity we are distant; I wish it were different. So I am waiting for her to get back to me about the lunch. It will probably be the weekend before I go.
I also went to the Praia da Botafogo shopping centre in the morning to exchange a long-sleeved shirt that Dona Vera had given me as a Christmas present. Although the shirt was very nice and lovely, and Aviator, the men’s clothing shop, is considered one of the best in Rio, I preferred to exchange it for a pair of dark blue jeans.
The shopping centre is on the same street where Yasmin lives, opposite the beach in Botafogo. Yasmin lives closer to Flamengo, while the shopping centre is at the other end of the street in Botafogo; it’s about a 15-minute walk.
The shop manager was very kind and helpful, and there was no problem exchanging the shirt for a pair of jeans. Sometimes changing clothes you’ve bought or received can be a headache in Brazil, but this time it was straightforward.
The jeans’ hem needs altering because they were too long. I paid the difference when exchanging the shirt for the jeans, and they should be ready for collection in a week. I emphasised the importance of the jeans being ready, as I will be travelling abroad very shortly and specifically bought them for that purpose. She assured me there would be no problem and took my mobile number to inform me if they were ready before the week was up.
One more thing done!
Another productive day: teaching classes, earning money, resolving problems, and profiting from crypto. My crypto investment is going reasonably well, considering it’s only a tiny amount – nothing like the big players – but I’m still doing well.
In the evening, I went for a walk with Perola, which is always very pleasant.
In bed by 10.00 p.m.
Thank you.
Thanks for reading this blog post. Please explore my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Richard
