Sound Walk

    I decided that I would be up and early for my soundwalk. I had errands to run and also wanted some fresh air to get my day going. I walked from my house all the way to the closest park. It’s about an 8-minute walk from my house to the bus stop and from there I walked to the park. The walk started off fairly quiet and you can mainly just hear the rustling of leaves and the wind. The highway is close by, so you occasionally hear the honks of the irritated drivers who are most likely trying to get to work. 

    I got to the bus stop and it’s in a very commercial area and also extremely close to a high school so it can get VERY loud. I feel like I’m much more hyper aware of sound early in the morning (part of it probably being that I’m irritable at that hour) so footsteps sound so much louder. I heard students screaming down the block and across the street about being late to class and how they’re going to get Dunkin Donuts before going in. I heard loud laughs also coming from students. Honking becomes much more prominent in this area since parents drive past to get their kids to school and the several different buses that try to get by. 

    I headed towards the park and the walk became quiet again, at least compared to the loud screaming and honking that was present minutes before. The park was extremely peaceful. The air and noise felt so much lighter. Again, the rustling of leaves and quiet footsteps were noticeable from the elders who do Tai-Chi in the park. You could also hear the harder and faster footsteps from people who are getting in their early morning run. 

    I’d say all of the sounds I heard were pretty expected considering my neighborhood and the hour. I think the most meaningful sounds to me are probably the rustling leaves just because Autumn is my favorite season and I think it’s such a satisfying and peaceful sound.