“Se coompraaa, colchoones, tamboooores, refrigeradoooores,” a girl’s voice echoes. That voice from the Crazy trunk is a sound inextricably linked to Mexico City. It’s a cultural heritage sound, a unique form of tinnitus Chilango.
The Crazy trunk might seem like any other piece of street art at first glance. But listen closely. It represents something deeper, something woven into the very fabric of this city.
Mexico City is a place where nothing is too crazy to happen. Salvador Dalí himself said that he couldn’t stand to be in a country more surrealist than his paintings. The Crazy trunk fits right into this environment of dreamlike imagery infused into everyday situations.
This city is an orchestra, a wild band. The Crazy trunk is just one instrument in this chaotic symphony. Street musicians play hoping for generosity. But even bad musicians get a few pesos.
The Crazy trunk somehow blends into this symphony. It reflects the unique sounds of this city. These sounds include gas vendors shouting “Aaaaaaa” and seismic alarms blaring. It is all part of a crazy experience.
That voice from the Crazy trunk, though, has a real story. It is not the voice of an older woman. It is the voice of a young girl. Marymar Torreón recorded it. She is now known as voz del fierro viejo, the voice of old iron.
Her father, Marco Antonio Torreón, drove one of the junk trucks for a living. He grew tired of yelling. So he had his daughter record a script. It would save his throat.
Marymar remembers recording from midnight to 4 a.m. Her tongue would get tied. She would mix up the words. That accounts for the drowsy sound of the recording.
Marco passed the recording to colleagues. They passed it around to others. Copies popped up at swap meets. Now, Marymar’s voice is heard throughout Latin America. Some even claim it’s been heard in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Not everyone likes the sound of the Crazy trunk. Some find it annoying. Marco himself pleads for drivers to lower the volume. But the wail continues. It will continue as long as there is junk to be collected.
As you stand before the Crazy trunk, consider its story. It’s a story of ingenuity, of a father and daughter. It is the story of a city’s soundscape. The Crazy trunk is more than just a piece of junk. It’s a reminder of Mexico City’s unique spirit. It is surreal and always changing.