When I started to gather the mindset to go out for the “sound
walk,” I tried to imagine what I would add to the blog at that point, without
actually having done it. I have lived here in New York City for almost one year
now, and coming up with a plausible sound continuation actually stumped me. I
realized if I wasn’t walking about with someone, I almost always had my
headphones on with music playing. What surprised me was the amount of time I
would spend searching for my headphones before leaving my apartment, causing
much ado if I couldn’t find them. To be honest, I was affrighted to spend one
hour outside, listening to the noise of the utterly chaotic environment that surrounds
me. After all, there has been so much construction occurring around my
apartment, as well as plumbers installing new gas pipes through my building
causing there to be nothing but frustrating noise that could drive anyone mad.
But so I left my apartment located in the mid 60’s Manhattan and turned down
Park Avenue to go to Barnes and Noble on fifth avenue.
Cars were honking, with the obnoxious drivers who believe if they hold their horn down long enough, suddenly all traffic will clear for them. Then there were the emergency vehicle sirens, non-rhythmic and piercing, yet they are almost always turned on. Whenever there is heavy traffic, the knowledge that someone could be suffering immensely whilst the ambulance is just stuck is eerie and worrisome. The street vendors who are everywhere in NYC are strangely the most silent. The homeless, especially in the low 60's on Madison Avenue, would yell out asking for people to "help them out." On the way down, there is a man who says "can anybody help me? Buy me something to eat?" The way he repeats this exact phrase and over again, in the same tone, it becomes a rhythm. There are three homeless men in wheel chairs on 3 consecutive blocks with two wearing neck braces. They have been doing this for four months. The last guy will try to drive towards everyone who walks by saying "you gonna help me?" faced usually with silence. A constant sound is footsteps, mine included. Men wearing dress shoes or women in heels were the most noticeable. The sound of my shoes hitting the pavement would keep a steady beat throughout the walk, aside from when id tip toe around others to avoid run ins. The steps of others was abundant, accompanied at times with the noise coming from bags, purses, and brief cases. People would sometimes stop and reach inside their bags and I could hear the jingle and rustling of keys and other objects. However, most of the noises did not come from people, but by objects. Cars and trucks swishing bye, sirens of all kinds, and the never-ending and quite irking blare from the drilling and hammering due to construction. There is so much occurring that I feel a sensory overload, which explains why I tend to use headphones to distance myself from the utter chaos. Despite being overwhelmed at times, the buzzing atmosphere is an unmistakable trait of city life that keeps it interesting.
In an attempt to get into the spirit of things, I began listening for everyday symphonies. Hearing the sirens and construction form music. Granted, it is a symphony that you have to really be looking for, but it was there. And it is what makes this city so unique! There are so many different sounds, smells, and colors you have to take in when walking through New York City, and they are always there! We just forget sometimes to take a minute and take our surroundings in. Our senses are what make colorful and beautiful.
Cars were honking, with the obnoxious drivers who believe if they hold their horn down long enough, suddenly all traffic will clear for them. Then there were the emergency vehicle sirens, non-rhythmic and piercing, yet they are almost always turned on. Whenever there is heavy traffic, the knowledge that someone could be suffering immensely whilst the ambulance is just stuck is eerie and worrisome. The street vendors who are everywhere in NYC are strangely the most silent. The homeless, especially in the low 60's on Madison Avenue, would yell out asking for people to "help them out." On the way down, there is a man who says "can anybody help me? Buy me something to eat?" The way he repeats this exact phrase and over again, in the same tone, it becomes a rhythm. There are three homeless men in wheel chairs on 3 consecutive blocks with two wearing neck braces. They have been doing this for four months. The last guy will try to drive towards everyone who walks by saying "you gonna help me?" faced usually with silence. A constant sound is footsteps, mine included. Men wearing dress shoes or women in heels were the most noticeable. The sound of my shoes hitting the pavement would keep a steady beat throughout the walk, aside from when id tip toe around others to avoid run ins. The steps of others was abundant, accompanied at times with the noise coming from bags, purses, and brief cases. People would sometimes stop and reach inside their bags and I could hear the jingle and rustling of keys and other objects. However, most of the noises did not come from people, but by objects. Cars and trucks swishing bye, sirens of all kinds, and the never-ending and quite irking blare from the drilling and hammering due to construction. There is so much occurring that I feel a sensory overload, which explains why I tend to use headphones to distance myself from the utter chaos. Despite being overwhelmed at times, the buzzing atmosphere is an unmistakable trait of city life that keeps it interesting.
In an attempt to get into the spirit of things, I began listening for everyday symphonies. Hearing the sirens and construction form music. Granted, it is a symphony that you have to really be looking for, but it was there. And it is what makes this city so unique! There are so many different sounds, smells, and colors you have to take in when walking through New York City, and they are always there! We just forget sometimes to take a minute and take our surroundings in. Our senses are what make colorful and beautiful.
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