.......The Images

Manaus

The Justice Palace was bulit only a couple of years after the Teatro Amazonas and is also a remnant of the "Belle Epoch" of Manaus, during the rubber boom. The construction took 8 years.	The fascinating facade of the Palace Justice faces the back of the Teatro Amazonas, on the opposite side of the Ave. Eduardo Ribeiro.	Inside, the Justice Palace is luxuriously decorated, in similar style to the Teatro Amazonas: a mixture of different european styles, typical of the "Belle Epoch" of Manaus.	It is quite common to find floor boards of two different types of wood in houses dating to that period. It is said to represent the two rivers and their distinct colours: the creamy colour of the Amazon River, and the darker colour representing the Negro River. The two rivers meet close to Manaus.	It is not difficult to imagine the tram passing by, with this view of the Teatro Amazonas on the other side of the Ave. Eduardo Ribeiro.
The back of the Teatro Amazonas, with the São Sebastião church on its left.	Local boats mingle with large ocean cruisers, bringing in tourists from all arround the world.	With aid from the World Bank, a project to improve the Igarapés of Manaus is under development, clearing the shanty homes from the rivers, and cleaning up the river beds. The banks will be transformed into causeways and public spaces.	Manaus boasts many restaurants, and interesting places to spend the evening/night in good company, or have a great meal.	Just like the rest of Brazil: whenever a space "appears", it quickly becomes a football field. This one, close to the centennial iron bridge imported from England, will be in good use until the rivers rise again, reclaiming the football field.
For the 2005 Christmas, the São Sebastião square received a 17 metre Christmas Tree, and the Teatro Amazonas received a special lighting.	The Teatro Amazonas, with its Christmas lights (2005).	The São Sebastião Square and the Church also received a special lighting for the 2005 Christmas, making the "Largo of São Sebastião" (the area arround the square and theatre) one of Manaus' most popular places in december.	It is not uncommon, to have open-air concerts at the Largo of São Sebastião, sponsored by the state government, permitting everyone to gain access to culture.	Recently, most houses at and arround the Largo of São Sebastião were restored to the original colours and facades of the rubber boom era, known as the "Belle Epoch" in Manaus.