By Ivy Lio
Macao, a little city located in the Orient, ranked number one on the list of world population density, covers only 31 square kilometers, yet has a population of over 600,000.
Gaming and tourism are the local leading industries, but apart from these, what else remains in Macao? A question has floated into my mind: where is our suburb? Where is our clear starry sky? Developing gaming and tourism industries are beneficial to the economic growth. I consider the two fields are to bring Macao into a bright future beyond our imagination. Macao, however, lacks the connection between the locals and the industries. Do we really know what Macao is missing? Have we tried to listen to our city’s heartbeat? Is the pace synchronized with every one of us? Is this development really what we want?
Our suburb?
Macao consists of three islands, Macao Peninsula, Taipa Island and Coloane Island. Consider the Macao Peninsula and Taipa Island being the urban area, is the Coloane Island our suburb? If so, isn’t the Cotai Strip a part of it from a geographic standpoint? It does not appear to be sensible as resorts and luxury properties are all over on the Cotai Strip. The ratio of our urban sections is extending and taking over the rural sections. The economic housing built in Coloane is developing the area. Have you ever asked yourself: is this the development that we want.
When I look for stars at night, the sky is covered by the giant spotlights and signboards. A clear sky is nowhere to be found. It seems to me more of a scene in sci-fi films than a city I call home.
Luxury hotels, large chain stores are everywhere. While enjoying the five star services, have you ever thought of our local characteristics and culture? What is our core value? Have you ever tried to hear the city’s heart beat? These are the questions we need to ask ourselves, as a Macanese. The most unwanted thing would be that hotels and casinos become all we have for our daily lives.
We are under the same sky, yet we are having such different lifestyles. Just in Senado Square and Coloane, we find a totally different scene. Every Macanese is a storyteller. Let’s explore what the city means to them.
Although they may not know each other, they will always give support. They laugh at you, yell at you, but they give you a hand, with a warm heart, when it’s needed.
They are Macanese.
They are your most loyal listeners either when you are cheered or frustrated. Hawkers call the kids “sons” and “daughters”. The locals have grown up in this atmosphere, which is full of intimacy and connections.
They share with you their wisdom from the bottom of their hearts for just raising you up.
This is Macao.
In fact, when you get up every single morning, you may have loud noises as accompany, neighbors’ chatting, talking, negotiating, debating in their daily lives, laughing at each other, but these just make our days, these are our precious joint memories.
This is the harmony and preciosity this place exclusively has.
May we now focus onto the other side of Macao, more than just money and growth? Let’s explore the peaceful and untouched part of Macao, Coloane. They’re under the same sky. We’re under the same sky.
The most central district versus the most southern island;
The most developed part versus the most untouched part;
High skyscrapers versus lowrise houses;
Streets occupied by a crowded human wave versus quiet tree- lined streets;
Luk Fook Jewelry and Koi Kei versus Lord Stow’s Bakery and Fernando’s…