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Sitting in the afternoon one hears hundreds of inter-mingling sounds. This is nothing new but it pays to be aware. In among distractions there's value to simply witnessing the passing of time. Bright sun shines down over everything. A few runners run, all robust and energetic, but for most the afternoon's passed under parasols.


Once the sun's gone down this place will fill up with exercisers, dance practisers and martial artists busying the whole area with noise. However at this time it's mostly quiet. There's a background of birdsong so constant as to be easily lost. And ghosting from behind a door is the rehearsal of a well known aria. The beginning is played over and over on the piano. It crescendos repeatedly.


Just now there's the sound of firecrackers. This racket is also muffled. The gunfire-like pops succeed one another in rapid disorder. These bangers may be scaring away evil spirits. As they peter out into odd, isolated explosions the sound of traffic can be heard as can the birds as if they're returning, while the singing goes on.