The Sounds of Oaxaca

A "pipa truck" full of water to be pumped to a roof top tank
when there is no water from the city.

Take a minute to stop and listen to the sounds around you. What do you hear?

In Oaxaca, as in most of Mexico, most houses are surrounded by high walls. Therefore I have to rely on the sounds in the street to know what is happening.

On any given day I might hear -

A loud pumping sound telling me that my neighbors have run out of water and are having their rooftop tank filled by a "pipa truck"--a tanker full of water.

The bell of the trash truck (slightly different for the city truck or the private truck). There's no such thing as just putting out your garbage can in the morning. You need to wait until you hear the trash truck and then take everything to the corner.

A chain being dragged behind a truck telling me that the propane gas truck is arriving.

A steam whistle that indicates the man selling fried plantains.

The sound of a triangle being hit that tells me the man selling wafer thin cookies is coming down the street.

The squawk of a special whistle that means the lady selling balloons is arriving.

The yelling "Agua" (water) to know that the boy on the bicycle is selling large containers of purified water.

The siren indicating a major earthquake is about to occur--thankfully I have only heard this sound when they are testing the siren.

Recorded music announcing a truck with a tiger or a camel that is announcing the circus that came to town.

Firecrackers letting me know that some sort of festival is occurring.

Someone yelling "Popeye" which means that an ice cream vendor is near.

A loudspeaker telling me that 25 oranges are being sold for 10 pesos and to bring a bag if I want to buy some from the back of the pick up truck.

At each sound, house gates open and people come out into the street to make their purchases.

Listening in Oaxaca is one of the best ways to meet your neighbors.