Taking the train to the top of the Corcovado Mountain to see the Christ the Redeemer, I was so enjoyed sitting in the little red train. When the train was climbing up, the little red train was surrounded by greenwoods. Windows were open widely which let the fresh air flooded into the carriage. It was a visual feast to see the color of the red train against the color of green around.
This is a tiny train stop in the middle of the mountain. Local people who live in the mountain will take the train to transport up and down the hill.
There are trains in two directions: up and down. It runs every twenty minutes. Since there are only few forks in the middle of the track, the train which goes down will stop at the fork to let the other train which goes up to pass first. Everything just works in perfect order.
The day we went was not a good day to see Christ the redeemer. Seas of clouds enshrouded the top of it. It was hard to see the entire statue. But I was so impressed only by the outline of Christ the Redeemer. It was so incredible! Standing at the top of the mountain, Christ the Redeemer has gazed down at Rio de Janeiro with open arms. And this statue has became the symbol of Rio and Brazil which implies the meaning of peace.
If by any chance that I could go there again, I would really wish I could see Christ the Redeemer in a bright sky!
I really love your pictures Zhen. You seemed to capture a lot of good ones! I especially liked your photos from the Escadaria Selaron from the later posts (really wished I went on my free day). But personally, I loved the ride up the mountain. When Vanessa told us that there will be stops along the way up and down, I had no idea what she was talking about because I was thinking who can live on sides of a mountain/in a forest? Sure enough, if anyone can, it is Brazilians. A few of the stops we made on the way up, you could see there appeared to be some “civilization”. Along the way, we also got a few good views of the city and of the lake. But a few of the other stops up and down almost seemed like no one in their right mind could live out her. The train did stop for a reason there though.
A few of the buildings I saw on the way up were in ruins and destroyed. Growing up 20 minutes or so from Detroit, Michigan, I actually drew a few comparisons here. But what I took most from the rides up and down was how the people of Brazil and those specifically in Rio make the most of what they have. It wasn’t just because of the terrible conditions of the buildings we saw and people living in them. It was because of all the vendors I saw on the beach trying to make a living. It was because of all the people without money or food literally sleeping on the sidewalks. It is because of all the priceless artwork, homemade food, and crafted jewelry I saw at the fairs that these people were trying to sell. The people of Brazil are truly hard-working people and I have a lot of respect for that.
But going back to your pictures, I am excited to look through the rest of them!