Rio
To wander the streets of Rio in the rain as the heavy clouds create dreariness and humidity, is leaden and saps the soul. Sugar loaf and Copacavada are invisible enwrapped in cloud. ‘Christ the Redeemer’ appears for a minute or two and is then enveloped.
But the clouds disperse and the sun bursts through. Immediately the colours spring out and spirits rise. People are out in the streets preparing for carnival. The favelas have colour and are no longer slums. Sugar loaf and Copacavada are picturesque monuments of nature looking down on the thriving beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana.
The crowds are out, beaches pack with football, volleyball and bronzed bodies. There is laughter, swagger and the pervading essence of samba.
A night, when the heat cools, the bars are filled with noise, bustle and beer – It jives.
Rio, like most cities, is a place of contrast. Beauty and garbage sit side by side. There are luxury apartments overlooking the beaches and mountains, and slums thrown up in shanty towns on hillsides of mud. But when the sun comes out and the colours kick in you can feel the energy. It is the carnival city.
Rio
In Rio
In summer
Under the clouds
As the redeemer remains shrouded
In thick fog
And even sugar loaf
Is stark and grey.
Above
A flock of frigate birds
Soar in spirals
Seeking the thermals
While sheerwaters skim the waves.
Then the sun
And colour
Changes
The beaches to yellow
The hills to green
And brings the favelas to life
Rio rocks
To the drumbeat of samba
The hip feel of carnival
The lightness of being
The gaiety of vitality
And beckons with adventure.
23.1.2016
If you enjoy my poems or anecdotes why not purchase a paperback of anecdotes for £7.25 or a kindle version for free.
Or a book of poetry and comment:
Rhyme and Reason – just £3.98 for the paperback or free on Kindle
My other books are here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Opher-Goodwin/e/B00MSHUX6Y/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1457515636&sr=1-2-ent
Thank you and please leave a review.
Not something that would appeal to me, but you took great pics as usual.
Cheers Anna.
Welcome
Are you watching the rugby this afternoon?
Yes of course, in between having great fun IRONING bedding, hate Duvet covers, right now music on LOUD. Bit p….d off having two Sons dictating to me, reminds me of their father.
My attempts at ironing merely create sharper creases. I love playing music loud. What are your sons telling you to do?
Stop spending more money. Turn the music down. Stop complaining – now what else was there I shall have to go and make the list. They forget I put the rubbish out and am standing Ironing for hours it seems, I am too soft I expect them to help out more how selfish of me. Here I stop before you tell me to.
Insist things are fair.
In this House, never was never will be.
That’s a shame
Those words Opher, “if only” my husband had taken the advice from the Solicitor none of this would have happened and family life would have been exactly as I wished it to be. Not children who witnessed violence and heard too much, I am too soft let too much go. No, I am not perfect far from it, just too stupid at times.
Well we all make mistakes. There are things I would have done differently but you can’t alter the past only maximise the future.
I know that but the mind goes back from time to time and one remembers the mistakes like standing in a Registry Office and knowing you were making a mistake but what was the alternative I wanted to look forward, made it worse. Just imagine your Sister stuck to you all your life, you would be kicking and screaming inside, particularly if you hated her.
I know. All you can do is reconcile your own mind, accept what has happened, and move on to make the rest of the journey as good as it can possibly be.
Good advice and would help if one wasn’t racked with bitterness and hatred for the way I was used, still am – you cannot feel the hatred I do, you don’t know the half of it. Sorry I sound angry, not your fault – mine, mine, mine.
I know. Nothing anyone can say that will make it better. Just talk and write it out. It’s cathartic. And don’t let it taint the future.
I know you are right, I wish I could just act on it, thank you for the advice, I do listen I promise you, it’s just so hard.
I think the trick is to focus on great things in the future. If you get your mind focussed on positive, good things, it makes you feel more positive. Look ahead to the adventure of San Francisco. Get your mind thinking of all the things you are going to do. Look it up. Think it through. It’s going to be great.
I am I know what I want to see and do, I worry about my back and walking, although I will probably use a lot of Taxis. I am planning, that’s why I got told yesterday “you are not buying more”. I have lost so much weight Opher my clothes no longer fit me, I have to buy new. I have in my mind so much I have to do. I want so desperately for San Francisco to be so good, it just has to be.
I think you will love it. It will energise you. You will follow all those Rod places and breathe that air. It’s a lovely city.
Why have you lost so much weight?
Well I thought it was all the Heart tablets, but I have just today discovered from my Cousin who was a Nurse that all Heart Failure people are “very thin”. A year ago the Dr I used to have said she suspected Stomach Cancer, had to see a Consultant and refused all the tests I knew it was not Cancer. I have very little appetite. lost four stone, not far off the weight when I got married. Not complaining like being like this and more pressure off my back. Hence all new clothes and “argument”. I am hoping it will be all I want it to be, not going to Hollywood I have no desire for that or LA. San Francisco is where it all started. This has got to change me make me want to keep on living.
Well losing weight would make walking easier and help the back.
Whatever it is will be what it is. Something that is an adventure will be full of the unexpected. Things to savour. Things to enjoy. Think ahead with excitement but go without expectations. Embrace it all with an open mind. Enjoy whatever it is. Immerse yourself in it.
It’s an adventure.
I will do, make the most of it all. Don’t you get fed up of me, I tell you so much, you are like a therapist, you will be charging soon – forget I said that.
Bill’s in the post! (I got it from a duck)
You really are something special – always make me laugh. My husband used to accuse me of not laughing perhaps if he loved me I might have, perhaps if life had been different. Look forward not back, right Opher?
Right, left, up and down.
Agree
And forwards
Where else, but do I listen, that’s the question?
Sure you do. Then you ignore it.
I hope you can hear me laughing, I don’t ignore it I just forget all I am told – I am me confusing, my late husband used to say “life is never boring with Anna” compliment?
It’s good to be a one off.
Yes, I have always tried to be different – in whatever way.
i’m always the same or different.
You always have the best answers
And the worst!
I will never be able to beat you, will I?
You always do.
No I don’t you are far too clever for me. Opher I have to hand over to David so he can do his work, so I will sign off now “Sleep Warm” as usual, Anna.
Sleep well Anna