Open Your Ears
Open Your Ears
I decided to do my Sound Walk assignment
on a day and location where the sounds would be unpredictable. On Saturday March
17th, 2018 Saint Patrick’s Day, I walked from Grand Central to Times
Square. I put my phone away and began the crowded journey. Walking through
Grand Central station you hear a cluster of noise, the saxophone being played,
the jingle of change in a homeless man’s cup, you can feel the rush and hurry
everyone is in. The most annoying sound is the sound of the wheels rolling
while people drag their luggage all around the station. I expected to hear all
those noises, that is how Grand Central station always sounds but when I got
outside, it was even more unpleasant. Immediately you hear the whistle of the
wind, your ears getting cold.
You hear vomit and spit from drunk
people, passing out on the sidewalk, celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day. If you
close your eyes and just listen you could tell you’re in the city with all the
trucks honking due to the overwhelming traffic. The streets were rowdier than
ever, drunk people randomly yelling at each other and arguing with one another.
More vomit. Along with laughter of friends watching each other vomit. I wish it
was early summer days where I can hear birds chirping, and people getting
on/off the bus. Everything I heard was completely expected, this is New York City,
the sounds don’t really change much. You can predict what you’re going to hear
on the Fourth of July, New Year’s, or even on a Saturday night. The city is
predictable, and if you’ve lived here all your life like I have, the sounds
will always be the same.
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