Sweaty and tired I sit on the train having just returned from my soundwalk in Griffintown. Although I am slightly out of breath and sleepy the soundwalk was such a nice experience. I never even heard of Griffintown until this class but now that I have toured this town and listened to the stories of former residents, I am so intrigued.
It was strange to think about families living there with children running around the streets laughing, spreading ghost stories and getting into all sorts of mischief despite the strictness of the catholic religion and the nuns who enforced it, since the feel of the town now is so industrial. Obviously, this makes sense due to the zoning laws that changed. But it is so crazy to think how things can change so drastically.
Instead of children laughing, I heard mostly the roar and hum of engines as cars and trucks drove by and as I turned down the quieter streets like Shannon I heard nothing but the wind.
This was such a strange contrast compared to the story of the plane crash that I was now listening to. The sound effects added into the story helped me picture what it must have been like but it was still hard to imagine all the chaos and debris amongst the now deserted streets. Being on a deserted street, save the occasional speeding car, was a slight problem because I really wanted to take a picture of myself on this street but seeing as I went alone it was hard to get me in the frame with the background.
However as I waited on the corner listening to the story of the plane crash and trying to imagine what it must have been like I heard the low hum of human voices. So I ran over and asked a really nice man if he’d mind taking a picture of me which of course he did not. Being alone made taking pictures of me a small set back but I am actually glad I decided to go alone. I felt like I could really concentrate, listen and take my time.
It’s strange but as I walked around and listened to the stories I began to feel at home. Getting comfortable enough to pause the tracks and veer slightly off course exploring abandoned lots and back alleys. I heard the crunching of gravel rocks and glass under my feet, which turned into squelching as I made my way through muddy tire tracks to get better close-ups of the debris that sits where houses once were. Taking pictures in that abandoned lot I heard the hollow slapping sound of a truck being loaded (or unloaded I couldn’t see but only hear) and the sound of distant deep voices yelling something I couldn’t make out. After taking pictures of the garbage, and this really cool red fire escape which I would have climbed had it not been for a sign posted on the fence right next to it warning me this premises was under surveillance, I made my way to 1224 ___ street where the last of the stables remain.
Unfortunately, I did not hear any horse noises but I could smell the horses in the air. I did hear some dogs barking as a woman passed by walking two small dogs and the sound of stroller wheels on the concrete as a couple walked by me with their little baby. This is what it must have been like back when Griffintown was a residential area, I thought.
Standing in front of these stables was probably my most favourite spot on our tour. I love horses for one and for two it really helped me imagine how different Montreal was at the beginning of the 20th century. Standing here reminded me of stories my grandmother would tell me about the horse she had growing up as a little girl. However, she lived on Ste-Catherine and of course, now there are no stables so being here in Griffintown made it easier for me to picture what her home must have looked, sounded and smelt like.
Listening to the people on the tracks reminisce and tell stories really made this soundwalk come alive. To be honest walking around Griffintown was interesting because I had never been there before but without these tracks to listen to on the way I would not have got half as much out of the soundwalk as I actually did. The soundscape I heard was quite similar to the soundscapes I heard while doing my soundwalk for the first assignment, lots of cars, trucks, footsteps, the occasional voice and the wind so I’m really glad I had the tracks to help make this come alive and make me contemplate what the soundscape must have sounded like back then compared to now.
