"Soundwalking" Along the East River

I chose to do my sound walk along the East River Walk.  I chose this specific area because the walk has been my own oasis for the past three years I’ve lived in Manhattan.  It’s my favorite spot to run and relieve stress but I’ve always experienced it with headphones plugged in and blocking out the sounds around me.  I thought it would be interesting to hear what audio I’m missing when I turn off the music.

                I was surprised at how many noises I heard while on my walk.  I guess only in New York could you describe an oasis as a place where you hear sirens screaming, horns honking, and cars zipping by.  Some soundmarks I heard were waves crashing along the concrete, the soft thump of running shoes hitting the ground and the scratches created by the friction of feet, gravel, and concrete.  Keynotes were the soft brush of the wind hitting the tree, the cars passing by, and the distant and nearby voices between chatting friends. As I continued to walk close to a nearby park more soundmarks were added such as the kicking of soccer balls, the cheering of teammates, and the panting and barking of dogs wandering by.  Some foreground sounds included the man who scolded his dog for barking at another dog, the cry of a child who fell off his scooter, and the wailing siren that sped past.

                It was a lot more noise and chaos than I expected my paradise to be.  It was amazing to see how many noises existed that I was not previously aware of until I took the time out to tune in.