Saturday, April 7, 2012

Up And Down


Bica Funicular (1892), Bica District, Lisbon

40 comments:

Kate said...

I think that woman should be on the trolley. That's where I would be instead of huffing and puffing up that steep hill. Looks like some interesting stone work!

Dina said...

Funiculars are so much fun. A nice old one here. It runs just on electricity?

AB said...

Wow! Everything there looks like it would have been the same 50 or 100 years ago. Wonderful!

Wayne said...

That must be a special trolley to climb a slope that steep. Neat perspective.

brattcat said...

such a dynamic shot. wonderful.

Cezar and Léia said...

What an interesting sight, I'd never heard about this district before... Is it near Alfama?
God bless you!
Cezar

Lowell said...

What a fascinating photograph! I've been sitting staring at it for several minutes...there's so much to see.

It is obviously, an older area. Love the street car - we don't have such! And the woman struggling to get up the hill (that would keep one slim(mer)! I'd guess that's a restaurant off to the left with the little awning.

The payoff is the water in the background.

This is just delightful, JM!

But your graffiti idiots can't even leave trams alone, can they?

Kathy said...

I wish I could give that woman a few coins to buy her a ride on the trolley!

Kathy said...

Now that I look at it more closely, I don't see a driver or any passengers on the trolley. Maybe it is broken down and that's what some people are actually walking in the tracks!

Birdman said...

Now, that's a WALK uphill, isn't it.

Unknown said...

@Dina: Initially it worked by counterbalance (there was a water reservoir on top). A steam engine was added in 1896 and in 1914 the trolley was provided with electric power.

@Cezar: No, Bica is located between Bairo Alto and the Tagus River (in the background).

Unknown said...

@Kathy: In fact, the trolley is not moving but not because it's broken, it's just the end of the line here. :-)

crocrodyl said...

Perfect shot! So lovely and interesting angle! Great capture with the old lady.
Happy Easter!

TexWisGirl said...

looks like quite the hillclimb!

Sharon said...

I love this shot looking down that long hill. I hate to think that trolley is at the end of the line, it looks like there is a lot of hill left to climb.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

I agree with the comments above about the combination of elements, textures and colors in this photo. The balance of exposure between the and shadow is also very skillful.

Catching the woman in mid step was perfect as well.

Although I like the colors, this photo would also look powerful in black and white.

joo said...

This street is fabulous! I wish I could visit Lisbon one day:)

Sylvia K said...

What a terrific capture, JM! Reminds me of San Francisco! I'd love to take a ride on that one!! Have a wonderful weekend!

Sylvia

Anonymous said...

Lovely! Looks as if the woman can walk faster than the tram... ;-)

VP said...

I loved these! This one is almost the same (graffiti apart) after almost twenty years...

Kay said...

I LOVE this shot! There's so much about it that's just right. There's so much to enjoy looking at it.

And, though the street is much older and very narrow, it reminds me a lot of San Francisco which today has some historic streetcars that capture the feeling of this car. The hills and water are similar, which makes a beautiful setting for a city.

theconstantwalker said...

So wonderful to see..

Jack said...

Marvelous, JM. Great image and a very special place. Have a hppy Easter.

RedPat said...

I love this one JM!

Bob Crowe said...

Reminiscent of San Francisco but so, so different. I bet that a ride on yours is cheaper.

Carolina Louback said...

A foto está linda. Amo este bondinho e quando for aí na certa irei andar.

Randy said...

I would love to walk along that street.

Karl said...

Fascinating photograph, JM!
Happy Easter.

Joan Elizabeth said...

oooo I want to ride on this.

Halcyon said...

Very cool! This photo looks like it was taken in the 1960s or something. It just seems retro to me!

Sérgio Pontes said...

Essa zona de Lisboa é fabulosa, abraço

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Brilliant image JM, that is one very long hill. I think I'd quite enjoy walking that each day, you really wouldn't have to worry about doing any other sort of exercise and you'd have the best derriere ever haha!

Dina said...

Really! I can't imagine it once have a steam engine!

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Oh, lovely shot! Brings back many happy memories of my visit there...

Francisca said...

A timeless scene of Lisbon. Bet the locals are happy to have that trolley to get them up and down that hill!

Arija said...

I just love seeing your photos of Lisbon, I have a friend there and it makes it so much more real.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful shot!

orvokki said...

I wonder which one wins: the tram or a woman.. :)
Nice shot.

irinapictures said...

Bravo.

arabesque said...

wow! this has got to be one of my fave fotos yet!
very Lisbon indeed. ^-^