The Soundwalk

Whenever I'm in a new place for a short period of time I always try to save a moment of it by closing my eyes and basking in the natural sound. The last time I went to the beach I was in Antigua and before I left I went to the beach by myself and closed my eyes. I let the sun hit my face and I listened to the calm sound of the waves, people chatting around me, and the distant sound of the birds flying around. I tried to save some piece of tranquility in my head before I went home to the loud city. I find it difficult to find a tranquil place in the city that isn't my bedroom, and even there, I can hear the sounds of sirens and construction outside of my window from the 23rd floor.

I took a walk in the west village the other day. I decided to sit down on a stone bench in a small park and somehow try to capture that feeling of ease I had that day on the beach in Antigua. I closed my eyes. I heard the wind blowing and the rustling of the leaves on the trees above me. I heard the squeaking of the metal swings nearby at the play ground and the sounds of children giggling in joy. I could hear cars passing by me, the sound of a car when it breaks at a red light. The sizzling of the hot dogs roasting at the cart on the corner. I heard the sounds of people chatting excitedly as they waited online for cupcakes at magnolia bakery and the swinging of the door of the crowds walking into the bakery. I didn't hear any harsh or particularly loud or bothersome sounds. It was the sounds of the day going by around me as I sat there in that moment. It wasn't a peaceful moment but it was calm and I was able to grasp a small moment of ease that I felt so nostalgic for at the beach.