Brooklyn Bridge Park
On Sunday me and my partner rode bike from our home to brooklyn bridge park. As we left our downtown apt I heard a mix of sound from the hustle and bustle of the up and coming neighbor. I hear the construction of the machines grinding into the concrete as the workers shot at each other not to argue but to communicate over the loudness of the grinding. In conjunction I hear the passing conversations of people as they walk along fulton st. Within this madness we cross the street to the citibike depot and purchase a ride. As I get on the bike and ride I hear peddling from not only my self but my partner as she changes the gear. Behind me I hear a loud honk dedicated for me as this is the first time riding in the streets on brooklyn this will not be my last encounter. I hear the driver cursing me, muffed by his windows.
As we almost reach our destination which is only a 10 min ride I hear the sounds of laughter as children enjoy their time at a street festival on court street. Their screams fill the quiet neighborhood as this place is always alive with traffic both on foot and the road but I realize it's rest on Sunday. We continue on our journey to Brooklyn Bridge park as we turn down montegue st. It is decilete no patrons it resembles a ghost town. The streets are so quiet, I only hear the faint echos of the nearby street with car passing by the avenue of closed banks. This is the only time I hear the slight sound of birds cooing, the doors closing as people enter and leave buildings. Amazed, I even hear the faint noise from the air vents for the subway, a light hum escapes the underground tunnel. Just as we continue our ride the roaring from the Brooklyn Queens expressway breaks the silence. It is a massive echo of cars and trucks as their engines roar. I hear the many bumps from the potholes they hit while speeding, thump after thump they hit the same holes one after another.
We finally arrive at our destination. The first abundent sounds I hear is of children screaming, laughing with a few cries... Shouts from mothers and fathers making sure they're alright. We past the park to the Hudson River and I hear the swishing of the violent waves from this windy October day. I listen and hear thumps and swishing of sand and look to see there is a volleyball game in play. I hear toilets flushing from the nearby open bathroom. It's so many sound from a vast sea of people enjoying there Sunday. We walk closer to the Smorgusburg to hear more thuds from the hitting of balls but this time it's many simetaniously, there is multiple games happening on the enormosre soccer field.
I have only came to this food festival for a Ramen Burger but when I enter I hear the frying of my favioate fries and all my sense kick in. The reminiscence of the smell, the noise of people smacking, chewing and talking all at once makes me nauseous. I hear the clinks of the metal dividers as people lean against them and the close conversation of nothingness takes over my area of sound. As I wait and hear these people I finally get close enough the I hearthe sizzling of burgers on the grill. I hear ketchup farts and metal change being exchanged. I get my burger and we walk around past a coffee vendor who sounds as if he is preparing an espresso drink. I recognize the frothing of the milk from my days as a barista, I hear the grinding of the espresso beans and the presser squeezing the water soaked grinds to make the base for his patrons drink, I hear the slash as the espresso and milk collide, it sound so delicious. We become tired and bored after a walk around as all I can hear is the yelling, chit chat and cars above us, I also hear the shuffling of rocks as people stroll behind each other as it becomes to crowded and overwhelming. We grab our bikes for our short ride home. When we finally reach the front of our building i realize that the construction has ended for the day and it is once again peaceful. I am now in the comfortably of my home with the noise of the world now on the other side of my sound proof windows, I relax knowing that I can now turn off my ears.
