.:NPR : The Lost Sounds of Old Beijing:.This morning while I was driving to work, NPR had a great story (they always have great stories) that talked about the lost sounds of the hutong, China's old urban neighborhoods. In these neighborhoods merchants ranging from the barber to the knife sharpener roamed the streets calling out their services with distinctive calls and sound makers. As times change however these merchants and the hutongs are quickly disappearing. I personally always find it slightly sad to see when cultural identity and tradition is lost due to modernization. America unfortunately does not have the deep rooted history that some of these other countries have to continue with these traditions. Since this tradition is sound oriented it really struck a chord with me. I personally could almost imagine myself sitting in a small house with winding alleyways listening for the sound of the vegetable merchant or the knife sharpener. Perhaps, it is my own attenuation with sound, but this article really addresses a good point on how culture is more then just the things in our lives.Tags: NPR hutong tradition