Sounds of Summer

The weather's warmed up quite a bit this week and it's time again to open up the windows and let the air flow through our apartment. We don't have any screens but fortunately bugs don't seem to be a problem. But the sounds of the street? That's another story. Even though we live off the beaten path, those dudes on motor scooters love to go full blast down our block, giving their bikes a few extra revs for good measure. Plus there's the horn honking when someone parks in front of an entrance making it impossible for others to enter or exit. And then there's the trumpet and saxophone players with their boom box accompaniment that come out in the evening to serenade the folks nursing beers at the cafe down on the corner. The first time we heard the music, the kids opened up all the windows, eager to know where it was coming from. Now the thrill is gone and it's just one bad rendition of "Hello Dolly" and "When the Saints Go Marching In" after another. Last night, though, we got a special treat: an inebriated soul singing the "Marseillaise." It's not charming but you've got to admit that it's local color.