*Sound Walk*

Walking through the streets of New York City, there is never a dull moment, nor are there dull sounds. Walking to my favorite coffee shop around Hunter College, no headphones, no texting or phone calls, there are numerous sounds being heard and brought to my attention that normally go unnoticed. Most of the sounds I heard on my walk were very loud and chaotic, happening at the same time, and for someone who isn't from NY, this can definitely be overwhelming, but I'm accustomed to it. Walking over the metal grates I hear my feet collide with the metal, making a "clinking" sound. The sound of the train passing below is happening at the same time I walk over it. While I'm hearing that, there is a car honking at a yellow cab for cutting him off. Walking passed the food trucks, I can hear the sizzling of the meat being cooked while the owner asks his customer what he wants to order. I slowed down to listen to students laughing at something. Apparently something funny happened in their last class. There are heels of all different types of shoes against the cement, trucks accelerating making loud noises as they pass. Getting to a calmer street, I hear the sound of a dogs leash being pulled on by its owner. Later on I hear an ambulance rushing down Lexington with the siren on. A helicopter passing by, a chip bag that a student is sticking his hand into as he passes me, and even a bird chirping, which is a little unexpected because I've never really listened good enough to hear a bird in a tree. The texture of sound on most of the NYC streets, in my opinion, can be described as extremely coarse. There is a lot going on and I actually found it a bit difficult to focus on just one sound because there are 10 other sounds happening all around.