Part Two: Living in Taipa

So I'm situated in a part of Macau called Taipa. Macau itself is currently divided into two parts: The northern portion, Macau proper, sits on a peninsula coming out of the Most-Glorious-And-Unquestionably-Perfect People's Republic of China. The southern part, divided into Taipa, Cotai and Coloane, was formerly two smaller islands that were filled in and joined into one. I live (for the time being) in Coloane in a large apartment complex, but the school where I work is in Taipa. This week's post is meant to show you some of the neat things and ism's that exist here in this greenhouse of a city that has become my new home. 

While Macau itself is more traditionally European/Asian (narrow streets, older buildings, more Portuguese), Taipa & Cotai have become a mix of Asia and North America (lots of big flashy buildings, a bustling entertainment industry. In 2004, the government decided to take a large pile of things, and push them into the sea. The result was that, because they pushed so MANY things into the sea, that they connected the two islands of Taipa and Colaone together with a flat, wide, build-on-toppable strip of land. They named it Cotai, a rough Chinese translation of "oh look at all the room we have for new casinos, theaters and mega-resorts. We're going to make a killing!". In the past decade, the economy, population and culture of Macau has significantly changed (China's breakup of the monopoly on the gambling industry there in 2002 further opened things up for lots foreign investment & development). But that's all dry stuff I paraphrased from wikipedia. You want to see the pictures and have me shout "MANGIA", so we'll move onto the next bit. 

Living in a country like this, I was expecting things to be different, but you can never really prepare yourself for what's in store (but having enough money and your VISA certainly helps. No, I brought neither of those things...). The school I've been lucky enough to sign onto has been nothing short of lovely. My class is full of typical 9-year olds; curious about new things, eager to help, and pretty great to spend a day with. The staff have been friendly and welcoming, I even get to plan with them (no, I don't just mean they let me into the meetings). I work together with the other grade 4 teacher when we make a week's lesson plans, halving the workload for both of us. It's the smartest idea since putting an eraser at the end of a pencil. I really think that it's a good fit for me.

This is the place I'm staying at until the end of this coming week, a large condo/apartment complex that's only a few years old. There have been a number of these kinds of 'urban communities' popping up around Taipa & Coloane in the last few years. This one has a free shuttle you can take you to the city center for free. They've also got a gym, a pool, a rentable mini-cinema (for about $30 you can have your friends in and put on your favourite film), a children's 'go nuts and play with all the toys including giant soft lego bricks you can use to make forts & stuff' room, and more. The frills cost a bit more to use, and I've been . Wanting to be closer to the school & city center, I'm moving to my own place in a different part of town, Old Taipa village.

The village is an older part of Taipa with more European influence, with lots of small shops, pubs and restaurants in a small area. I'm on the top floor of a 3-story building next to a place that makes Argentinian BBQ & pizza (I am not sure if that was a smart decision or not). The community seems really great, and the apartment I've picked out (while a bit pricey) feels like home to me, so this will be home for me for the next little while. More to come on the village later. 


There is one thing in particular I've got to mention about Macau & Taipa; The parks here are excellent. Really really really excellent. There will definitely be lots to share in the future about the parks & recreation spaces here. Last weekend, to get some moist fresh air and exercise, I went to the panda park nearby the apartment. I enjoyed myself so much I stayed too late and was locked inside my security staff who thought everyone had left (more of that later too). Combined with my hospital visit the previous day, it made for an eventful first weekend in China-not-China.

Overall in terms of life, by the end of week two, things are pretty good. I feel like I'm used to this place (the weather, sleeping properly, eating regularly) and getting the hang of this teaching-overseas thing. I also broke out my fresh version of Dutch Blitz for its first of many eventual rounds of furious, card-mashing entertainment.

I think I'm going to have to up the number of weekly posts, there's just way too much to share. It'd take me months just to write about what I've seen so far. Maybe a shorter bi-weekly thing might be in order (keep your eyes on on Thursday night).