Carlos Morais José was born in Lisbon. At 53 years of age, he is a journalist, a writer and self-described exile based in Macau. This year he recently organized the celebrations to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Portuguese poet who lived in Macau, Camilo Pessanha.
– What’s your idea of a perfect day?
I wake up in the morning and get myself a beer (the future is uncertain and the end is always near). So I let it roll. With my baby. And we roll all night long. Forget feeding animals in the zoo.
– If you could go back in time to any event in history, what would it be?
The arrival of the first Portuguese to Macau.
– What’s your favorite book?
Impossible question. From the Tales of Poe to The Castle of Kafka, from Les Fleurs du Mal to The Book of Disquiet, from Leaves of Grass to Anti-Oedipe, from Arabian Nights to La Peau du Chagrin de Balzac, there are seas and continents of volumes and volumes that I deeply love.
– And your favorite singer/ band?
Jim Morrison / The Doors.
– Who is your hero?
Camões.
– What can always cheer you up when you are having a bad day?
Love.
– What’s your worst habit?
Smoking and having faith in humankind.
– If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Steak and French fries.
– If you could retire tomorrow what would you do?
The same.
– What’s your favorite season or festival?
Autumn.
– What’s your favorite place in Macau?
The Protestant Cemetery.