This is my first soundwalk in the Lourdes Grotto. I discovered this place quite by accident a month ago. It captured my imagination and I promised myself I would return.

The ambience of the city becomes an integral part of the space. I suspect that it was an isolated location when it was originally placed here back at the turn of the century. Since then, the city has grown up around it.

I hear:

• a background of constant traffic - though not heavy as it would be on a major street -- the grotto is on a side street, a block away from Montreal Road, a major artery connected the eastern part of the city to the centre. No doubt the traffic sounds intensify during rush hours, but right now (11 am roughly) the drivers are not aggressive. The traffic is constant - but there are breaks between car sounds - the sound of one car going by tends to be finished before another one begins.
  
• a helicopter overhead. Rather loud - not much altitude
  
• sound of the gentle waterfall located at a small shrine.
  
• delivery truck - squealing brakes - the truck is pulling up to the apartment building just across the road.
  
• a worker saying "oh, jesus" - I don't think he was praying. There are two workers here today, one planting flowers, the others sweeping the steps leading up to the main altar. The broom swishes softly and constantly.
  
• Occasionally I can hear dirt being shovelled, and also the sound of two workers speaking to each other in French
  
• birds, birds, birds - not as many as I would hear if the trees were a bit denser, but very prominent nonetheless. It is mating season.
  

As this point, I haven't decided how far outside the radius of the grotto to soundwalk. Vanier has many interesting sound which define place. Do I limit myself to the residential area immediately adjacent, or do I go further afield to capture the sounds of the main street (Montreal Road) with its bingo parlours, coffee shops, taverns and voices which express a much different Vanier than the grotto?

One last listen - crows have invaded, traffic is intensify - three workers are carrying on a conversation in French. No vow of silence today.

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