Two days after arriving in Brazil, I already had my first big "thing": being part of the Critical Mass ("Bicicletada") against the corrupt governor. It was scheduled to be at 6pm in the center of the city. My work is some 11km away from the center. I didn't have a clear idea of how to get to work by bus, and I would be late for the Critical Mass if I arrived at work too late, so I ended up choosing convenience over the environment and borrowed my brother's car (he is on vacations in the beach). That was my first defeat. Only two days, and I was already doing what I didn't want to do: to drive.
But being able to make it to the Critical Mass was a victory. Boy, it was huge! At least some 100 cyclists going around the city streets, chanting and making noise, drawing attention to the fact that the streets are meant to be shared, going against the motorized status quo of this city.
After some hour or so biking with the mass, I left the group and took the metro to the place where I had parked the car. Some 700m walk from the metro station to the parking lot. It was dark, almost 9pm, but it wasn't scary at all. Lights enough and people enough in the streets.
I had promised to visit my grandmother on that night, so I took the car and drove the 20 km to her place, without speeding. It felt slow, and I realised how much I used to speed some three years ago.
So, although I was a bit disappointed with myself about taking the car (as Matias said, it didn't take too long for that to happen!), I was happy that it was for a good reason. Better to have taken it and have made it to the critical mass than to be out of it. And my driving has also improved. Calmer, slower, more respectful. I am happy about this day.
Post new comment