Take a map of the city you live in. Use a cup or another round object, and place it on the map. Draw a circle around the object. Go into town and try to walk this circle as precisely as possible. Don’t give up too easily when there are obstacles in your way. Try to be creative and resourceful to stick to the circle as closely as you can Go into the city. Choose a random starting point. Take a walk following these directions: turn right twice, and left once, and repeat. Take a map of a different city (Seoul? New York? Tokyo?) and use it to walk through the city where you live. Go into the city. Before you start walking decide where you are on the map now. Then choose a location on the map you would like to walk to. For example: The Eiffel Tower. Go and find the Eiffel Tower in Seoul, using this map.Walk to a colour: choose any colour. Go into the city and choose a random starting point for your walk. When you spot your colour walk to it and/or follow it, change directions whenever you like, as long as it is informed by spotting your colour.

During the walk, you can record what you experience and encounter in whatever way that you prefer and seems fit: you can take photos, make notes, record personal observations, you can make drawings of what you see, of perhaps find another way to (audio) visually report about your experience of the walk, and more particularly your experience of the city (people, objects, architecture, organisation, policy, practices etc.)

 

The day when I was performing this walk , It was good weather for outgoing, There were festivals everywhere in Utrecht. Empty squares have turned into stages, the road which full of cars turned into the street full of people. There are full of people in Utrecht. I could get a feel for humanity. 

During the walking, I had experienced the city with my friends who have difference cultural backgrounds. I have totally difference cultural backgrounds with Dutch. And there is difference in the way we enjoy a culture. It leaved much to be desired for me. 

  When I communicate with Dutch or people who have different cultural background, main topic was the difference between me and them. But this time, It had been different. I focused on sharing what I felt about the music. Experiencing music with them contributes me to overcome my limitations.

  When I walked in the street, I had felt that I am a stranger and foreigner not a resident and I didn’t mix with this city. However this time, I felt myself and the city are mingled.

I took a map of Seoul and use it to walk through Utrecht. Before I start walking I decide Namsan tower as where I am on the map now. I found Han-Gang park in Utrecht. When I experienced the city during the walk, I focused on music when I used to listen in Korea.

My hometown is Seoul. I have many memories with my lovely friends, and family in Seoul. Especially, I used to go Han-Gang park with my friends. It is my favorite thing of stress relief that watching panorama of Han-Gang with music. I missed my family and my friends back home. That is why I decide to find Han-Gang in Utrecht.

⊂ Hangang Park, Republic of Korea, Source : Google image

 

I was walking along the canal. Finally I found Han-Gang in Strand Oog In Al. seemingly, Strand Oog In Al differs from Han-Gang Park. There is the mile of golden sand instead of the grass in Strand Oog In. I can see magnificent skyscrapers view over Han-Gang park. Instead of view of skyscraper, I am able to admire natural scenery in Strand Oog In Al.

⊂ Strand Oog In Al, Utrecht, Source : Google image

 

Although there are differences, the reason why I choose this place as a Han-Gang Park is because of the atmosphere of the place. There are comfort, warmth and peace just like Han-Gang Park. There are many people who have some fun in the sunshine, who enjoy the moment with their friends. I just sat there and listened the music I used to listen in Korea, I felt like I am in my hometown, Seoul.

When I first came in Utrecht, there was no one who I know in town. Living in totally different city is exciting, but somehow I felt lonely in the first time I 

came here. That song I listen in Korea conjures up memories of the good old days.

By remaining the mood and feeling of mine through the music, I construct my lonely life of Utrecht into well worth daily life. 

 

Music coming from the street has encouraged the walker to take another look at a city. Music makes mood and atmosphere of space. Up-tempo music makes my shoulders move up and down. Sometime it makes me cry. Walking with listening music presents familiarity to unfamiliar streets and freshness to the street which I walk past every day.

  Listening music which I used to hear in Korea makes me feel like I am in sweet home and reminds me the memory of the feeling of the day I listened that music. It disrupts the way we normally experience the city and provides a new experience of the city.   

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Michel de, Certeau. 1984. The Practice of Everyday Life