Walking and waiting to pass

Cities and Memory - remixing the world

This recording captures my experience walking along a "levada," a traditional water channel originally built to transport water from the north of the island. These networks of aqueducts stretch across many kilometres and are accompanied by narrow walking paths, open to the public and popular among tourists.
In the recording, you can hear a unique aspect of these trails: the interactions with fellow walkers. Since the paths are often very narrow, it's common to pause and allow people coming from the opposite direction to pass. These brief stops create moments of spontaneous interaction—exchanges of greetings, expressions of gratitude, and sometimes even light conversation. They also offer a chance to pause and appreciate the surroundings.
The levada runs through a high-altitude area characterised by lush greenery, dense forests, and an incredibly tranquil atmosphere. The soundscape is dominated by the melodies of birds, wind, and the soothing presence of water—whether gently flowing through the channels or rushing in small streams. Together, these sounds create a gentle, immersive drone that enhances the peacefulness of the environment.
My brother was eager to share this levada walk with his girlfriend, and I decided to join them with the hope of capturing both the natural soundscape and these type of interactions.
UNESCO listing: Laurisilva of Madeira
Recorded by Tiago Tobias.
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This sound is part of the Sonic Heritage project, exploring the sounds of the world’s most famous sights.
Find out more and explore the whole project: https://www.citiesandmemory.com/heritage