Lanes in Macao
Tami, Wu Ka Kei
Thronged with the locals and tourists to hunt for their goods in lines of stalls of multi-colors, it is a lane called “Travessa o Barbeiro” with hawkers selling different items like clothing, fruit, or jewelry.
This travessa – a lane located near Senado Square – is one of the examples of the lanes in Macao that has its own characteristics and charisma. Some are well-known for their ambiance, some are popular for the business running there, and some are distinguishable for their background and history.
“Travessa o Barbeiro” is unique in many ways. “Barbeiro” means barber in English. It was named in this way as many lanes and roads in Macao are named based on the business found in those streets. Beco do Tintureiro which means an alley for dyers, and Beco do Ferreiro which means an alley for blacksmith, are lanes and streets, following the same naming system used in Travessa o Barbeiro.
“We start working at around 9am and work till 7 pm,” said Lei, owner of a clothes stall on Travessa o Barbeiro, where barbers cannot be spotted anymore but hawkers and customers.
Every day, the owners like Lei have to stay in their little store, waiting for customers to come. But they never feel bored. “We are like neighbors. We chat with each other every day,” said Lei, adding that the owners of the little stores are good friends as they have to meet and chat almost every day.
Many housewives love going to this little lane. Though the hawkers are not busy and unable to earn lots of money every day, they still enjoy their work in this narrow lane.
While Travessa o Barbeiro is crowded with people, another lane is relatively more deserted, but it just gives people a totally different feeling.
The lane can be found near Rua do Campo (水坑尾), named as Bairro de Sao Lazaro church located there. Opposite to the church, there was a leper asyliumin in the district, so many local also call this space as a space for lepers in Chinese
The Old Ladies House (Albergue da Santa Casa da Misericordia) in this lan was also activated and became an artistic wonderland, as different types of exhibitions can be found such as the rabbit lantern exhibition.
The yellowish house 10 Fantasia, a creative industry incubator, is another place for the local creative and art industries that can be found in the lane. “I have joined many programs offered 10 Fantasia and each of the programs is different to me,” said Christy, a frequent visitor to this lane.
This artistic lane, together with the brilliant scenery, attracts many couples and photographers to take photos. “My dream is to take my wedding photos in Europe, but it is too expensive,” said Chan, who takes wedding photos with her husband in the lane. “So we choose here as it is romantic with a mixture of different cultures.”