Texto de Nancy de Lustoza Barros e Hirsch na revista para a comunidade de expatriados de língua inglesa no Rio de Janeiro.
Para ver a revista na íntegra, clique aqui.
Beautiful face, but dirty behind the ears
There is an illegal balloon high up in the sky.
From my viewpoint, not bigger than a fingertip, but it is probably huge, since
it carries something like a dangling surfboard. Difficult to discern, as the
rising sun gets in the eyes. Almost tripped: a wooden chair, without its legs,
lies near one empty beer bottle dangerously balanced on the edge of the
sidewalk. Saturday morning, mild temperature on the beach, the owners of the sands
are bustling around, carrying cartons of drinks, coconuts, chairs, shouting to
one another.
The COMLURB guys have just finished working and
there is the impression that things around are clean. Barely: litter peeks from
everywhere. A trolley has one flat rubber wheel, making flop-flop sounds and
the driver doesn’t care: he has ice bags to deliver. One wonders where the
wheel will go when it is finally changed.
Right in front, a lady with neon coloured
running shoes, thick white socks up to her knees, makes a pause to inhale and then
continues to talk on her cell phone. (The forbidden smell of cigarette brings memories
of a deceitful feeling of freedom – those forced to leave the vice know it.)
Will the fake jogging lady throw the burnt butt in the correct bin?
Years ago, children were taught to pay
attention to dog’s “shards of glass” while strolling on the sidewalk of Copacabana
beach. Canine owners in Rio are more educated nowadays and the path is mostly
free of such nasty encounter. But, wouldn’t you know it, the proverbial banana
skin is right there on the ground – litter in its best.
As of next July, says Dudu The Mayor, fines
will be applied on the spot for those unconcerned about the health and welfare
of the Cidade Maravilhosa’s environment and population. It is forbidden to build
balloons as is littering. Trolleys’ wheels, cigarette butts, bubblegum wraps
have all to find the correct destination. Caught in the illegal action by an
authority representative – police or COMLURB sweeper – the violator will be
fined right there and then through his/hers CPF (Cadastro de Pessoa Física).
These authorities will carry a palmtop to apply
the punishment. Refusing to present the CPF, the lawbreaker will be taken to a
police station, as are those who pee in the streets. One can appeal the fine,
but if it is found to be rightfully applicable, the City Hall will prosecute
the title; and gone will be credit with retailers or bank loans.
Fact: Rio de Janeiro is one of the 10 most
dirty touristic locations in the world. In 2012, our streets produced the
equivalent of three Maracanãs full of litter. Disbursement: 300 million dollars
taking care of the mess, claims the City Hall. Time to sanction those who don’t
mind dirt, overflows, or diseases like dengue and other unhealthy results of
littering.
So, if you slip on a banana skin on the
sidewalk while enjoying an ice cream, make sure to have napkins, water, and a
decomposable plastic bag at hand, because either you clean up your mess, or Dudu
will clean up your pockets.
Foto: Globo.com
