The Sounds of CDMX | Hacker News Reader

The Sounds of CDMX

pudding.cool

154 pointsfeross38 comments

“Se compran … colchones … tambores … refrigeradores … estufas … lavadoras … microondas … o algo de fierro viejo que vendan!”

If you know, you know ;)

Exactly what I thought of, I always thought it would be a good addition to Mexican rap song.

Maybe something like this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yitoITlNcKs

The shouts of vendors in the street is why I avoid cities in Mexico, especially CDMX. The noise levels in Mexico are so abrasive to me.

Big parties late at night in residential areas, vendors shooting while passing by, then dogs barking at them, delivery men in noisy motorcycles, then dogs barking at them again. I guess that’s why gated communities are trending in many Mexican cities now days.

> vendors shooting while passing by

*shouting

> I guess that’s why gated communities are trending in many Mexican cities now days.

No, I'm sure the biggest value of a gated community is the added safety. You'd still get the noises you mentioned, except perhaps the street vendors if the gated area is remote or big enough. It's still a residential area with parties, dogs, and delivery motorcycles, after all.

Thanks, yes, I meant shouting. I’ve lived in both gated and non-gated. And gated neighborhoods are significantly more quiet.

This is exactly what I was waiting to hear as I was scrolling. It's is the first sound I think of when I think of CDMX now that I've lived there.

I lived in CDMX and this sound (among several others) made me resent the city. All the Mexican's I knew didn't mind it and seemed to tune it out. If you like peace and quiet, living in Mexico City is not for you.

Glad I'm not the only one! I visited with my girlfriend recently (she lived there a few years ago) and I immediately hated that recording. She seemed somewhere between indifference and endeared.

I actually really liked CDMX, but I also resent that sound.

Lived there for a month. Maybe it wasn't long enough, but that sound makes me nostalgic.

for a major city I’ve found it to be on the quieter end of the spectrum though it does certainly have its moments

Thanks for writing it out. I always tried to tune out the words. The sound is grating.

If anyone is like me and wondering what they're referring to (it's linked in the website): https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/americas/100000004701928...

Hah! Good to finally know why they all (the vendors recordings)sound the same

This is so interesting. I was just in CDMX for an entire week. I rented a condo on the fifth floor of a tower. I couldn't hear any noise and I was right on one of the main streets (Insurgantes).

I also didn't see an organ grinder once. I had no clue that was even a thing. Though plenty of street-side vendors. CDMX is an amazing city. I kind of want to live there for a bit.

In my city, there is a version of that that says I addition something like "if you are embarrassed to come, send your kid to the truck with your junk" . I find that pretty funny.

I was so confused by this recording I asked a local to explain it to me.

Awesome. I find myself frequently trying to explain the fact that CDMX's sounds are so iconic. This site does a much better job than I ever could.

A glaring omission in my opinion is the camote (sweet potato) steam whistle, which has a PTSD-worthy volume even when heard from half a block away.

I've been wanting to do a project like this for a long time, there are lots of places I have travelled and lived that have unique sounds that I'd like to share.

The only reason I haven't done it is that today's social media wouldn't provide a means for my work to be seen. On Facebook for example if I post anything with external links it covertly censors my content so that even my own friends cannot see it. Nowadays they downrank pretty much anything that isn't a "Reel", my still photographs are now only shown to a very small subset of my friends. Sound-only content isn't really attractive to news sites either so I just don't know how I'd publish it effectively.

The ephemeral “stories” can get a lot of interaction, thats the primary way my circle uses instagram, the “posts” feature are pretty much dead, baring a once a year “photo dump”

For a creative that gets validation from simply having things seen, consider buying a more popular account on instagram and rebranding it. Theyve already done the work of growing the account with real users. You don't need to participate in that popularity rat race, just buy your own art gallery but with the mailing list of the prior owner.

I hunted for this sound for 2 days in CDMX. Where? what? who? but most of all why?

It was all very delicious and satisfying in the end, like finding the pot at the end of the rainbow.

The experience of standing next to a personal steam engine, on a street at night, in Mexico, being served platano covered with condensed milk and cinnamon is one of the reasons why I enjoy travel.

The camotero is there! In the free play map at the end, you just have to find him and click on him

Well, these sounds are all over Mexico and Mexico is not reduced to its capital.

This is a really fun, interactive experience. And the rest of the site is worth exploring too for its unique presentations.

Having lived in Mexico City myself and returning there a few times a year right now, this is definitely a pretty accurate representation of many of the sounds you'll see/hear (with the exception that the folks playing the sounds aren't always as smiley as the way the cutesy art makes them look). A fun way to learn about another culture though.

It seems to me it gets the sounds right, but not the volume. Mexico City is so loud, from the music in the metro to the calls of the vendors to especially the constant traffic jam and the incredible amount of cars. The site sounds like the areas outside of the city. Not at all how experienced the city itself.

Surprisingly, I find CDMX to be ver quiet the moment you get out of the main streets.

The buildings and vegetation seems to seal noises to their area.

Of course the quietness is never permanent as no street is off limits for the wandering merchants.

My favorite big city in North America! (although I haven't been to Toronto or Boston so forgive me)

Really, you should give it a go. Find people to meet or small places to go to beforehand, preferably themed. If you're into say, music, go to music museums, find community groups, local concerts and just do that.

Was just there and I ended up enjoying the sounds by the end of the trip so much, they became comforting. One of the most wonderful cities I've been to

I had a similarly positive experience there. The energy of CDMX is vibrant and the city is full of life.

There are definitely places to go for quiet away from the main streets. Sometimes too quiet!

I never understood the organ grinders. Why would you ever want a North Korean general cranking a music box while you eat? Thankfully everyone under age 50 agrees.

Great website.

The Organ Grinders are the worst! When I visited some of them were so out of tune that it hurt to listen to them. Couldn't help but feel happy when the website said they're losing popularity

One used to play in front of the taco stand outside my apartment every morning.

I remember laying in bed fantasizing about the government enacting a law where you have to play an actual instrument if you want to generate loud sounds while you busker.

What a lovely way to present contemporary culture. I'm enamored.

This was one of the closest experiences to 'Virtual Reality' I've had; lol - the combination of the cute art mixed with the sound is truly great.

A fun and quite immersive experience! Wouldn't want to live here due to all the noise but sure would love a visit.

I expected to hear a "periodicooooo".

Reply on news.ycombinator.com