Alley

Guided tours to the Rua da Felicidade usually include the intelligence of why the street was so named, followed by a smile loaded with meanings. It used to be the red-light district of Macau in the 19th Century, offering a turnkey solution to all sensory pleasures with brothels, opium dens, tea houses, gambling houses and restaurants. After WWII, prostitution and opium was banned in Macau and the street declined in popularity.

In 1996, the Macau administration took over the situation and restored all the two-storey houses lining the street. The Chinese-style shuttered terraces were revamped and painted bright red. Rua da Felicidade moved on to live a reformed life and became the must-visit for all tourists looking for good food and souvenirs in Macau. 

Beco da Felicidade was happily forgotten and left to its own device. 

Venturing into the Beco after dark was like taking a trip into the neighbourhood's seedy past. The Beco seems almost dodgy, ill-lit by a solitary light. Layers of plaster were peeling off the shabby walls, revealing the antique brickworks. Wiring criss-crossed the alley and laid exposed without any sense of shame.

One dared to go deeper into the darkness. 

The vague outline of a curly apparition grew more distinct as one approached.

It was a bouquet of weed flowers growing out of the earthy bricks. 

The arrangement was so beautiful, full of life and resilience.

A spotlight entered the enchanted scene. 

A moped stopped below the pink and white blossoms.

One woke up to the present, as the helmeted rider parked and locked his chariot.

The ring of dangling keys resounding through the alley.