What I Hear

As I walked from Hunter College to the 4-train station on 59^th street, I became fully aware of the diverse audio that New York has to offer. Its 3-pm on a Wednesday, the middle of the week.  As I began my walk my ear caught the sounds of numerous car horns blaring at one anther in defense of who has the right away.  There was the screech of tires, its source a car that attempted to speed up on a yellow light.  You can here the cranking from the machines the construction workers are using; the disturbing sound is over powering the man walking next to me talking on the phone.  As I pass the F-Train station on 63^rd street, I hear the soles of dozens of shoes running to and from the train station. There’s the newspaperman standing by the train entrance chanting, “ Get your free newspaper”. As I pass the Starbucks across the street I hear the barista screaming out “tall caramel macchiato.”  I hear dozens of phone conversations, and phone noises. As I wait for the walking signal I come across a conversation between two girls in regard to what events are going to take place on the finale of the Fox Show Empire, which comes one later on tonight.  As I get closer to my destination I come into contact with all of the shopping stores. I can hear sales associate greeting shoppers saying, “Welcome” or if they’re leaving “enjoy the rest of their day.” As I pass another store I hear the alarm going off as some one walks out (this of course is followed by security action). As I approach the train station and take in the city before going under ground I take a moment to just listen and the sounds are a combination of car engines, horns, footsteps, voices, and the wind.