But without more ado we must hasten ashore and have a closer look at the beauties spread before us. If at the docks, a few steps out, through the fine warehouses or around them, bring one to a broad splendid avenue where passing cars will in twenty minutes bear its occupants to the center of the city, and to the Alfandega or Custom House. Also carriages may be in waiting, a trifle dearer than in Buenos Aires, but with modest fees as compared with New York. From the anchorage, one must take a boat to the steps of the Caes dos Mineiros, where men and boys wait to conduct you to the Alfandega for the examination of baggage. This may be a tedious operation which a judicious tip is liable to accelerate. As the office is closed from 11 to 1, it is important to be early on shore, else you may be compelled to return in the afternoon for your heavy baggage, or even to wait until the next day. Officials and underlings are usually polite, but here often slow.
Hotels and Restaurants
Hotels. The Avenida, Avenida Rio Branco; Estrangeiros, Praça J. de Alencar; International, Sylvestre; America, Cattete; France, Praça 15 de Novembro; Allen’s, Rua Humaytá; Tijuca (Tijuca); Grande, Lapa; Globo, Primeiro do Março; Pensão Suissa, Largo da Gloria.
Restaurants. Frankiskaner, Avenida Rio Branco, 152; Heim, Assemblea, 119; Londres, Assemblea, 115; Paris, Uruguayana, 41; and others.
United States Consulate and Embassy: Avenida, 117. British Consulate: Rua General Cámara 2.
Churches. British, Rua Evaristo da Viega; American Methodist, Rua Conde de Baependy.—Y. M. C. A. Building, Rua da Quitanda 47.
Money. A milreis is 33 cents; 100 reis 3⅓ cents; a conto is 1000 milreis, written 1000$.
Carriages. Four wheels, for two, first hour, 6$; second hour, 3$; two wheels, for one, 4$, first hour; 2$, second hour.
Taxis. (For one or two persons), first hour 8$; second, 4$. Course about a mile 1.$400, for each quarter mile after, 200 reis.
Postage. Two hundred reis to the United States or Europe.