As I got off the train this morning I decided I’d leave my iPod in my bag and see how it felt going into work listening to just the sounds of the city. As I walked down to 1st Avenue I heard the rustling of leaves and paper. I heard the splash of a few cars hitting water puddles in the street. I heard the occasional noisy motorcycle. I heard the smacking of shoes against the pavement as a group of joggers jogged past me near Elliot Bay Bookstore. I was surprised to hear few people talking except one or two chatting loudly on cell phones.
I boarded the #18 bus in Pioneer Square and took it eight blocks or so up near Pike Place Market. It started to rain and I could hear the pitter patter of rain hitting umbrellas. I crossed the street and heard the sound of bells and turned around in time to see a lady walking her dog with a large collar and bells attached. I continued walking down 1st Avenue in the direction of Bell Town. I noticed a large delivery truck parked outside of Frontier BBQ. Two men were lifting an oven out of a large cardboard box, preparing it for installation. I could hear ripping and tearing sounds as they swiped a blade over the boxes in order to reduce their size. I walked past a group of men looking for work, all speaking Spanish. They paused shortly as I walked made my way through them to the next block where made a left turn down Wall Street. I got a few steps down when I heard the sounds of a siren blaring. I walked another twenty yards to our offices. As I grabbed for my keys to let myself in, an older man came through the alley and asked, “Hey mister, can you spare some change?”
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