My Conch shell comes from the ocean, it’s a layered tough structure and its color is light beige, inside it has a combination of beautiful glossy tones, pink and orange. 

When I hold it up to my ear, I can hear the sound from the sea, this reminds me of my town's beaches. If I blow through the bore, the spiral shape produces unique and extraordinary sounds. 

Conch shell trumpets have been used in ancient cultures of my country Peru. The Incas used them to emit such grandiose tones during their ceremonies. 

 I’m glad I found my own .Two months before coming to the USA, I spent time in Mexico. I was worried, walking around the beach, thinking about the next challenges of my life, when suddenly I saw two adorable kids playing with their dog, We became friends and they surprised me with a gift, it was not only a conch shell, I couldn’t believe it! They had made a conch shell trumpet, the kids taught me how to blow it. and we had a lot of fun. 
By the time I left the town, my worries had disappeared and instead, I had brought two things with me: the conch and a lesson: “I need to enjoy my life, one day at a time, just like a kid". I consider this as a divine message. 

My conch shell is my treasure. I blow it and this unique sound gives me peace. 

– Ruth Gabriela Quilla Pacheco

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant