This was an especially fun one! I think we all learned a little something about this magical place called Manaus, from the yin-and-yang intertwining rivers that join to form the Amazon to the excessive luxuries of the Rubber Boom in the late 1800's to the breast-less warrior women and even more atypical (and paranormal!). But, there was one particular fact that was so unique, eye-catching and fascinating that we had little choice but to declare it the winner.
Congratulations to Kurt S., who scoured the internet, academic journals and god knows where else to find this gem --
"In 1896, the theater's main staircase was hurriedly fashioned from rare and local Amazonian hardwoods after the specified, bought and paid for, custom Italian Carrara marble unit unceremoniously sank to the ocean floor whilst trapped deep inside the cargo hold of a doomed steamship."
Source:
Culled from the January 16, 1990 New York Times article:
Opera Is Ready for a Comeback in the Amazon
Kurt, you will be sent the original vintage postcard that inspired the art for package #23 first thing on Monday.
Thanks to all of you who entered! Enjoy the weekend and be safe out in the snow, Eastern US.
Congrats Kurt! :-)
Congrats Kurt! Here is mine: there is small museum in Manaus Theater and they have some old costumes, instruments and other items (like Opera House replica made of Lego’s) along with objects from artists who performed there – wonder if The White Stripes left something there…
Congratulations Kurt. An excellent fact for a fun & interesting competition. From the research I did Brazil looks like a fascinating country to visit. Thank you TMR.
That’s definitely a great fact and worthy winner.
Here’s mine:
Manaus went from an opulent paradise fuelled by the rubber boom into economic decline when, in 1876, on orders from the Director of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Henry Wickham, professional adventurer and bio-pirate, snuck 70000 rubber tree seeds back to Britain, breaking the Brazilian monopoly on rubber and earning himself a knighthood.
Source: http://www.brazzil.com/2003/html/articles/sep03/p124sep03.htm
Congrats Kurt!!
Thanks everybody and thanks to TMR!
I am humbled and honored!
Hats off to you, Kurt! What a cool fact about the theater.
Correct Roja…good knowledge!
Congrats Kurt! Quizze that was the same fact I send, jaja. But we won knowledge.
We are all winners here we have won knowledge otherwise we may have never had