Day 13 (January 14). Manus

(I'm way behind on blog, writing this on Feb 2 for  Jan 14 events.) 

So, here we are at Manus, the capital and largest city in the Brazilian state, Amazonas. It is strange to find such a large city in the middle of a jungle. Well, perhaps the reason is that the Amazon river is navigable for large ships all the way here from the ocean almost a thousand miles away. Hence they can come here for whatever products the Amazon has to offer. In the early 1900s that product was rubber though now it includes manufacturing (electronics, chemical products, soap, distilling, shipbuilding, brewing, and petroleum refining) and some agricultural exports (soybean oil, malt extract, gold, Brazil nuts,  jute, and rosewood oil.) What was particularly remarkable as we approach Manaus on our ship was the sharp division of waters from the Rio Negro as it joined the Amazon.

From Road Scholar brochure: "... ride to 'Adolpho Lisboa Market', also called Mercado Municipal or Mercadão (big market). It was constructed between 1880 and 1883. ... 

The building was based on the Les Halles marketplace of Paris, France. Its metallic structures were built in Paris and sent to Manaus by ship. There are two completely different façades, one facing the Rio Negro and one facing the public road. As a significant historical and architectural building of the city, the Municipal Market also stands out today as a cultural center. The market is one of the largest open markets in the city of Manaus, offering fresh fruits, spices, fish, and traditional indigenous medications among other products.

"... walking discovery to explore the world-renowned Teatro Amazonas, the Amazon Theater. At the end of the 19th century, rubber trade and plantation owners and other moguls became fabulously rich. They hired architects and artists in an effort to transform Manaus into the 'Paris of the Tropics.' The focal point was a grand opera house, the Teatro Amazonas. Construction began in 1884 and no expense was spared with materials imported from Europe. Enrico Caruso, then the most famous singer in the world, inaugurated the theater with a performance in 1897. We will step inside the theater to learn why its Renaissance-style architecture gave it a reputation as the 'Jewel of the Amazon.'"

Here are some photos from Manaus:

Very important governor at end of
19th century was African heritage ...

... so darker than depicted in painting

Idealized jungle painting 

More realistic jungle Botanical station

"Walking tree sends out new roots towards sunny side so ends up moving in that direction

Electrical "tree" outside restaurant

Yes, there are autistic folks in Brazil, and they want the drivers behind to be patient

Inside market: For whatever ails you

People utside market