Noise Pollution

Living in a city has its benefits. The magazine/newspaper stand is minutes away, so is the self-service video machine, as well as the little grocery store around the corner. Most of the time, all I have to do is cross the street in order to access the pharmacy, tobacco store (for stamps), things are close and things are convenient.

The noise of the city however is beginning to really get on my nerves. We have chosen to live on a busy street in a nice neighborhood, but then all of Torino is busy and there is no escaping the noise. As I write this I am listening to a jackhammer that began at 8 am. Everyone at one time or another, is having major reconstruction done on their homes. I should also mention that many Italians, mainly my neighbors, like to watch television with the volume turned up very loud.

I was awoken my the recycling truck as it dumped a load of glass bottles into its hold. Women whack their rugs early in the morning, horns go off at all hours of the night, but when a big soccer game takes place the horns go off continuously. Dogs are left on terraces and balconies all day and they bark when the wind blows. I have been in some quiet apartments, usually the outside noise is reduced by the addition of double pane glass. If we were to buy an apartment in Italy, I would opt for this solution. For now, with summer approaching, I sit in the house with a few windows open so I can catch a cool breeze. The noise permeates everything. You would think that after a year I would have gotten used to it but I still haven't.

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