Strings of four different colors weave together in a chevrolet pattern around my right ankle. The strands of navy blue, cream white, light pink and bright green thread form the anklet that sits right above where my ankle socks end. Stained by dirt, wind and weather, it has a slight brownish tint. The observable arrows foster a sense of dynamism, providing a sense of incessant movement in a fixed, stagnant design.

During last summer, I participated in a six week cultural immersion program in Spain. The middle four of the six weeks were spent in a homestay with a family in the small town of Estepa, an hour drive west of Seville, Spain. Ana, my host sister, and I became super close by the end of the four weeks. When it came time to say goodbye, tears streamed down both of our faces as I sat in the bus that drove off to Seville, where our group of students from the U.S. would spend the rest of our week. Little did I know, my family planned to surprise me in Seville with their presence at an Indian restaurant. The last hour that I spent with Ana was walking the streets when we passed a shop. It had white bubble letters that said “ALE-HOP” and a real life sized plastic cow with a bell in the front. We went in and both of us purchased anklets for each other, which we have worn every single day since.

Every time I glance at my ankle, I am reminded of many fond memories I had with a really good friend. We continue to talk and text on the phone to this day, and the anklet symbolizes our friendship and all the good times that we had.