Riding the Bondinho by junge1
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Description
The Bondinho (little tram) begins at Avenida Republica do Chile and Senador Dantas near the Metro station of Carioca in Centro and goes over the 'Aqueducto da Carioca'or 'Arcos da Lapa', about 100-ft. or so above street level and single track, to Santa Tereza.
The Bondinho began operating in 1859 as a horse-drawn tram, which predates street railway experiments in all European countries except France.
In 1891 it commenced electric operations and the gauge was altered to 1,100mm (43.31-inches) which it is to this day.
Santa Tereza is one of Rio's most unusual and charming neighborhoods. Situated along the ridge of the hill that rises from the city center, Santa Teresa has many of Rio's finest colonial homes. In the 1800s Rio's upper crust lived here and rode the bonde (tram) to work in the city. The bonde is still there but the rich moved out long ago.
During the 60s and 70s many artists and hippies moved into Santa Tereza's mansions. However, just below them the favelas (slums) grew up the hillsides.
Santa Tereza is considered dangerous,especially at night. The bondes still operates, but now mainly for tourists and the fare is BR$0.60 or US$0.35. People hanging on the outside of the tram do not have to pay.
To the best of my observations only three cars operated, it took about two hours standing in line to get on, and because these trams are slow, they can easily be jumped on and off, making unwary tourists easy targets for thiefs.
The tram stops for anyone that wants to get on, and on my way back to Centro I got on with standing room only. There are no doors and as the tram was slowly going downhill toward the aqueduct, the collector caught up with me to pay my fare just as we were on the aqueduct. While I was hanging on with one arm on one of the poles while fishing for correct change I happened to look down. The single track is bordered by a low fence (probably as high as the tram wheels) and certainly not high enough to catch anybody that happens to fall off, it gave me extra incentive for a tighter grip.
Well, I just read that a 24-year old French tourist had fallen to his death while the tram was crossing the aqueduct.
This picture was taken on 19 June 2011,
Sig..
Comments (24)
flaviok
Impressionante captura, excelente meu amigo, aplausos (5)
billcody
Thanks for this fine narrative, siegfried! Very informative and interesting! And you captured the situation perfectly, directly from the middle of life. A very fine pic!
Minda
i like this scene sig Very nice capture..
Faemike55
Great capture and interesting and informative narrative
Richardphotos
very interesting tram and excellent shot Sig
anitalee
Great shot
bazza
Sure looks like an interesting way to travel.. Very nice capture Sig!!
Isabelle711
Excellent capture. :)))) Loved hearing about the history. :))))) Thank you for sharing. :)))) Carry A Smile In Your Heart :)))))
renecyberdoc
excellent work and info bit.
auntietk
Wonderful photograph! I love seeing this, and imagining what it would be like to ride (or hang on the outside). I'm enjoying your trip!
fallen21
Beautiful capture.
farmerC
Shining shot.
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend. God Bless.
flavia49
fantastic shot and prose/ info!
sandra46
EXCELLENT IMAGE, GREAT WORK!
drifterlee
Excellent shot!!!!
carlx
Great photography!!!
lyron
Great capture!!
bobrgallegos
Awesome photo and work here Sig!! I get to see everyday life in Rio through Your lens. Thank You.
npauling
An excellent capture of this loaded tram.
danapommet
It looks like trolley surfing for the people hanging on the outside. Sad to read about the French tourist and the aqueduct. Great narrative too. Dana
bebert
et tout le monde paie sa place ?? :)
blondeblurr
What a fun pic, to show us how real life is there under the Brazilian sun, half your luck and an interesting missive to explain - just what a tourist needs to know ... BB (ich hab noch einen Koffer in Brazil ;-)
KarmaSong
I've just been visiting your Brazilian gallery and feel a bit nostalgic about my days in this fabulous country, and especially in Rio. I like this particular capture too, there's much of Brazil in it !