I am often awakened early in the morning by the sounds of roosters crowing and dogs barking. Here on Zalatitan my neighbors have roosters roaming in their yards and dogs that run freely through the streets.

 

I also hear the shouts of children as they hurry along on their way to school. Classes begin around 7:30 in the morning and finish early in the afternoon before the temperature soars too high.

The Zeta gas truck passes by, blasting the “Zeta Gas” jingle through loudspeakers. Overflowing with cylinders,  home delivery is the norm.

Other trucks with loudspeakers rumble through the streets, selling everything from mattresses to car parts.

The loud clanging of a bell announces the approach of the garbage truck, a daily occurrence.

Another truck appears and cries of “Agua” fill the air. Water is delivered to your home at the same price as in the store.

The sun shines brightly and it is another glorious morning in Mexico. I open the shutters in the living room to allow the heat and light to permeate the room. I settle down on the sofa to check my email on my iPhone.

Occasionally I am interrupted by someone calling out to me through the open window. Would I like to buy pens with lights on them? Do I need batteries? There is no end to what people will sell here. Just this morning a man passed by with pots and pans. He wanted to trade for gold jewelry! That was a new one for me.

The tinkle of a bell announces that the ice cream man is approaching. He pushes his cart slowly down the street in the afternoon heat.

A man on a bicycle sails down the street calling out ” Hoy! Hoy!” He is selling the daily newspaper. Here he is selling a paper to one of my neighbors.

And soon another truck begins his nightly rounds. “Rico Tamales!” echoes throughout the streets through the loudspeaker.

Another constant sound in the air is music. Everything from mariachi to English rock music is heard on the streets here. And it is often quite loud!

Another common sound is car alarms. A bus that passes too closely will set these off. And the loud bang of fireworks, especially on holidays, is always followed by the noisy car alarms.

What a wonderful symphony created by all these delightful sounds!