Home is where...

" I should have known it from the very start. This is where my heart belongs."

Ever since Elyza was a child, she has this unfulfilled dream to go abroad especially in Paris to have a visit there, and hopefully, to stay there for good. She keeps on collecting photos of Paris and post them to her wall, that because of so many pictures, it almost filled her room.Among all countries and cities round the globe, it is Paris who captured her heart because she sees it as a very romantic place. Elyza and her family resides in Albay. Being born to a rich family, Elyza's dream was definitely not beyond her reach. She could have gone to Paris all by herself if she would want, but because of her very "nationalistic" parents, she was not allowed to go to other countries.She really thinks that her parents are "Killjoy". She cannot understand them. Many people are dying to go to other countries but lack of money forbade them to do so. While their family have all the money needed for one to be able to travel abroad, but then her parents are not interested, not even a little.

When she was just a little child, she was fascinated by the different sceneries and tourist attractions in our country, but as time passed by, she grew tired of it. She began dreaming and wishing to go abroad. Without her knowing and realizing that her parents do such thing to plant and develop in her heart the love for the native land. Her parents actually wanted her to patronize their own culture but it turned out to be on the contrary. She imitate the fashion and lifestyle of the Western countries. She adores and admires imported products and international stars. In short, she hates to be nationalistic. In fact, she sees it as "Kabaduyan".

When Elyza  was already in college, her desire to travel abroad grow more intense, to the point that  she quarrels her parents to allow her to leave, but then, her parents would not succumbed to her wish. They can see how negative is the effect of foreign culture on their child, and they know for sure that it would be worse if they would grant her request.

The moment which Elyza has long been waiting for ,finally arrives when she was in her junior year in college. The opportunity to go to Paris came to her like a dream. 

"Class, I have a good news for you. Our school will be sending one student to be a foreign exchange student at the University of Paris, in France.After series of deliberation, we have come up with the decision of whom should be the lucky one. I'm proud to announce that it is Ms. Elyza dela Fuente."

Yes, she was chosen to be a foreign exchange student for a month and she was to go to Paris. You could have just expected how happy she was when their teacher broke to her the news.

Excitedly, Elyza approached her parents and told them the matter. At first, they were really against the idea but because it has something to do with Elyza's studies, which they know she really gives much importance, at last, they granted their daughter's wish and allowed her to go to Paris.

Two weeks after Elyza had receive the news, here she is, riding the airplane. In just a few minutes, they will be ready for take off. Elyza felt her heart throbbing in much excitement and happiness.

When Elyza arrived there, she couldn't explained how she exactly feels. She was in total heaven. All her life, she dreamed to go to this place, and now that dream finally turned into reality. During her arrival and the succeeding days, she had spent her time visiting the different beautiful and famous spots in Paris. Every night, she would while away the time by staying and roaming around the Eiffel Tower.She would go to the mall every time she wanted to.  She thought that she lives in perfect bliss.

But as much as she would like to convince herself that she really was happy to be there, she realized that she was getting homesick. She miss her parents. She miss her friends, her classmates. And she never thought, even for the slightest chance, that she would actually miss the Philippines.

In Paris, she get to mingle and associate with different races and kinds of people. She could enjoy and live life happily at her heart's desire, but as the days continue to pass, she realized she was no longer happy. The folks there are not as kind, as sweet and as cordial as the Filipinos were. The culture there was totally different to the culture she had been used into. 

During that time, Elyza remember what her parents usually told her" There's no place like home. Even though you go to other places, you'll end up craving for your own." Elyza couldn't help but cry. She realized how stupid she had been, wishing all her life to go to this very unfriendly place. 

Though she really would like to go home already, she withstand the loneliness and suffering. She was there for her studies and she must finish her task there, whether she like it or not. She know this is the prize she has to pay for being so ambitious.

After a month, Elyza was already at the airport, finally going back to the Philippines. She felt more excited this time around than when she was leaving the Philippines for Paris. Though it had been a mixture of happy and lonely experiences, she would bring with her in the Philippines the lesson she have learned while she's away, that indeed, we should have love for our native land.

When Elyza arrived in the Philippines, she excitedly hugged her parents who were there in the airport to fetch her. She has many things to tell them. She has lots of stories. She actually want to say that she had enjoy the experience, but to her amazement, the very first thing she has said to her parents is "" I should have known it from the very start. This is where my heart belongs."