Rio de Janeiro

Seeing the Sights by Trolley Line

Rio de Janeiro

Jan 21, 1908

To You Both,

The last mail leaves for the states to-morrow morning, so I will write my last letter to you now.  Mail is expected from the States today at five p.m.  We sail tomorrow afternoon for Punta Arenas, and the Pacific. 

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Was ashore yesterday from ten o'clock in the morning until ten at night, and I had the time of my life taking in the sights.  As soon as I landed I went to the information bureau, maintained for our benefit and got my money exchanged for their money.   They base their money on the mil-reis which is worth in our money thirty cents, one hundred reis being worth three cents.  So by exchanging several dollars of our money you get all the silver and nickel money that you can carry, the coins being very large.

Took a trip to the highest mountain in the vicinity of the city.  It is called Corcovada which in Portuguese means hump-backed, and the mountain very much resembles the hump in a deformed man.  First we started out in a car pulled by one little mule but he certainly could make the car go some, we rode this way for about a quarter of a mile when we transferred to the electric car, the part having a special car chartered.   We now began the ascent of the mountain the trolley line follows an old aqua-duct built over a hundred years ago, passes through tropical vegetation which equals if not surpasses that of the Island of Trinidad.  We ascended in this manner for about fifteen hundred feet the line then stopped and we again transferred and took the cog road the remainder of the way to the height of twenty three hundred feet above the level of the sea.

On the top of the mountain is an observatory and one can get a magnificent view of the city and surrounding country.  I looked over down the mountain and down the side a sheer descent of twenty three hundred feet to the bottom the mountain.  We then descended the mountain by the same route that we had ascended, and from here we went to the botanical gardens, where I saw the finest rows of palm trees that can be seen any place in the world.

Here one can find tropical trees and plants of all species, all laid out in beautiful manner.  We then came back and took a trip through the Royal Park which lays along the water front.  It is along this park that the beautiful drive runs which you have so often seen pictures of.  An American band from off some of the ships was ashore and playing in the park and there were hundreds of the Brazilians listening to the music.  Also took in the Monroe Place, a beautiful building erected at the time of the exposition which they had here to celebrate the Signing of the Monroe Doctrine.  They have a street here called Central Avenue which surpasses fifth Avenue for the manner in which it is illuminated although the illumination is perhaps not so brilliant.  In the evening the merchants bring chairs and tables out on the wide pavements, and here one may sit and drink anything from water up.

They have very few horses, small donkeys being mostly used.  I saw many autos which I found were made in the USA.  Also saw the old oxen teams and carts with big high wheels.  One sees the aristocracy out driving behind a small pair of donkeys.

The women as a rule are not very good looking the majority being of a dark color or else covered with paint and powder.  Many of the better educated class of people speak besides their native tongue, German, and I could get along fairly well with some of them.  Very few understand the English Language.

On Sunday a crowd of us went over and ascended the great Sugar Loaf mountain which is twelve hundred feet high.  I stayed down on the beach with the boat keeper and taken to the Brazilian soldiers which were quartered at a fort near-by, and I am certainly glad that I did, for the rest of the fellows were more dead than alive when they returned.

When you pay your fare on the tam cars, the conductor gives you a receipt.  This I think is a good idea as there can be no dispute as to whether one has paid his fare or not.  There are more policemen in the city than I have seen in any other city of its size.  They wear red uniforms and carry a big sword or machete.

I secured some souvenirs which I will send home from Frisco with my other trinkets.  Mother said she was going to send me a mailing list for the postal cards, but as I have not received it as yet I did the best I could.  Sent 36 cards all-told.  Sent one to Mrs. Brewer in England.  Addressed it to Reditch, so suppose she will get it all right.

The Brazilians have treated us fine, and an American sailor will find that the rule always as long as he conducts himself in the proper manner.  Thousands come out daily on the ferry boats and circle around the ships.  The ferry boats are not made to carry teams of horses, so consequently they are kept very clean.  Suppose you want to know where the boats run.  There is a town across the Bay called Nictheroy, where the boats run to.  Fare 300 reis or nine cents our money.

The President is visiting the Connecticut today and in consequence of this, all the inhabitants are taking a holiday as it is very seldom that the President pays a visit to the city in the summer time.  The summer palace being about two hours ride from Rio do Janeiro.

Tried to get an almanac for here but could not get one in the short time I had to do my shopping.  Will try to get one in Callao.  The sun rises about 5:30 am sets today at six-fifty one pm and is setting earlier every day.

Will bring this letter to a close inside of twenty-four hours we will be on the high seas bound for the Straits of Magellan.

Love to you Both

Affect. Frank