At first I heard a couple howling screams and then a loud boom. I thought to myself while I was lying on my airmattress trying to fall asleep, "Am I about to witness my first shooting?" At that moment my air conditioner starts to turn. It sounds louder than normal, fuller somehow. No wait, that is just the subway outside. No wait, it is too loud for the subway. That is a group of people chanting and screaming. I get out of bed and look from the living room windows, which have a view to the street. I see outside an entire Afro-Caribbean neighborhood parading down the street. Chants. Air horns. Ululation. Shrieks. Stamping. Loud drums. Many loud drums. Many many loud drums.

It wasn't violent or out of control. It wasn't long. It came and went in a manner of minutes. Only an occasional shout or horn can now be heard. I was just completely surprised.

Time for bed.