The Magic Five

 As I slowly looked at the numbering of the chapters in the book, I noticed there was a certain pattern in the way they are presented. First of all, it is important to highlight that the chapters within each of the sections of the book are exposed in descending order. Also, very curiously, each of the categories into which the cities are classified has a maximum of five cities throughout the whole book. This said, when a category reaches its fifth city (number 5 in the order), that is the last one from that category. This allows Calvino to bring about a new category in each of the parts, always being number one.           

               When I read about Olivia, I reflected upon developed countries all over the world, such as United States and Spain. Polo describes Olivia as a city full of prosperity and richness in products and services. But, the traveler says that “…from these words you realize at once how Olivia is shrouded in a cloud of soot and grease that sticks to the houses, that in the brawling streets, that shifting trailers crush pedestrians against the walls.” (p.  61) From the outside, a city/country can appear perfect, with almost no problems. But, as you enter it and get to know its interior, you will discover all the issues it has and how people suffer even in an apparently prosperous country. United States, with its large wealth inequality and Spain with its soaring unemployment rate are an example of this case. They seem very equitable countries, but in the inside it is no such thing.

            It is impressive to observe how Marco Polo is the one proposing the metaphors and the concepts in the story. I would have expected Kublai Khan to do this, since he is a much older and apparently knowledgeable individual than the young Venetian. For example, Marco Polo declares that “Yes, the empire is sick, and, what is worse, it is trying to become accustomed to its sores. This is the aim of my explorations: examining the traces of happiness still to be glimpsed, I gauge its short supply.” (p. 59) I compared this to the situation of many developing countries around the world, which, instead of developing leaders and trying to heal the wounds of the country’s situation, it resigns to live with its problems forever. This is definitely not the case of Colombia, which by all means is trying to progress and has and will continue to struggle to not only solve its problems, but to turn them into opportunities to continue advancing. On the other hand, countries, such as Venezuela and Ecuador, have a lot of issues which have not been solved. Many people blame the government, but it is really the people’s job to take action and demand a change for their country. It is their duty no to settle for less of what they can possibly get. The role of true leaders, hopefully all presidents, is to examine the city and look for little spots where they can improve their nation. Even if they are little, they can help the country evolve and eventually heal all its sores.