Rio de Novo
My first few days back in the city where I have come to consider home. 3 years since my first visit here and I can feel myself seeing this place with new eyes. I was wondering how the city might have changed, what with the World Cup and all, but what I notice most is how much I've changed. I'm older now, dare I say wiser? Definitely a lot less naive. I've always known that despite all its beauty Rio is no paradise, but I feel a certain tension here now that I didn't before. Maybe it's the fearlessness of youth dissipating, or may be it's because I don't plan on leaving this place any time soon. I no longer look through the rose-tinted spectacles of a tourist. I think the glossy veneer has been peeled away and I'm seeing more of the flaws. But then again it has rained a fair amount these past few days. Today is the first day of proper sunshine and I've come to the beautiful Parque Lage (of Snoop and Pharrell fame) an oasis of tranquility in this often very noisy city. As I write a praying mantis scuttles past my leg. I've been sat here reading Brazilian poetry, probably the reason for the poetic-sounding voice of this post. I know, I'm in danger of coming across pretentious, but I needed this afternoon. News of yet another police-murder of a black man in the States only brought me more disillusionment and exhaustion last night. So the quiet of today was necessary. One thing I cannot ignore though is that for all of its appearances as a "rainbow-nation", when it comes to racism and anti-blackness, Brazil is not at all world's away from the U.S. or the UK. I think this is lurking in the back of my mind, and perhaps the reason for some of the tension I feel. For those reading that aren't frequently on Twitter, being aware of racial issues, specifically institutional racism and white supremacy is called "staying woke". It is also said that staying woke can prove to be very tiring and I have an inkling that I may at times feel exhausted here. But let's see. I must stress though that I am very happy to be back; like I said, I feel like I've come back home. Parque Lage, Rio de Janeiro. Quarta-Feira 8 Abril, 2015
