Fear the Crocodile

When I volunteered in Ghana, I became fascinated with West Africa’s Adinkra symbols. The symbols convey traditional wisdom and are found in everything from fabric patterns to retail signs. With my departure quickly approaching, I want to mark the beginning of my journey with one that I hope will bring me luck. The symbol above is entitled Denkym, or “crocodile” (but it seems more fitting for me to recognize it as a terrapin — shout out to University of Maryland!), and is the symbol for adaptability. I am hoping that I am able to quickly adapt to Italy’s customs and am not overwhelmed with culture shock. T-minus five days until take off!