Take me home, my town roads

“Country roads, take me home. To the place I belong… West Virginia, mountain mama. Take me home, country roads.”

If you’re familiar with these lyrics, I bet you have a classic taste!

This old-time music is titled ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ by John Denver. A timeless melody that depicts a town’s beauty and evokes a feeling of people’s longing to make their way back to a place that feels like home.

Isn’t it fascinating how a single place can bring up a myriad of memories from a multifaceted time of life?

In this article, we’ll delve into locations that resonate so deeply with people, particularly during the early days of this generation. So, if you’re a Gen Z, keep reading as we’re about to kick some nostalgia!

Star City (Pasay City, Philippines)

Despite the fire tragedy and years of break in operations, this amusement park will never lose its brightness, being iconic from generation to generation.

In its newly renovated look, Star City is ready for an epic comeback with various mild to extreme rides that you and your family or barkada will surely enjoy!

Star City is located in Pasay City, guaranteed to provide an unforgettable experience for those seeking a nostalgic ride.

There are also new rides available for both adults and children. Most of the amusement park’s well-known rides have been repositioned to fit better into the indoor-outdoor theme.

Long queues for each ride and the upbeat vibes remain a part of the Star City experience, regardless of how the building structure is clearly newer.

And as the song goes by, “Does it ever drive you crazy, just how fast the night changes?”

Do you remember when was the last time you ever rode a Star Flyer or entered the Snow World? Mine was like 10 or more years ago. Yet, I still vividly remember the fun-thrilling experience in Star City. And I hope this place won’t lose its spark for the next generations to bask in the brightest theme park in the city.

Tusok-tusok: Student’s Favorite Meryenda

After a long day at school, we deserve a little reward, and the street foods, also called tusok-tusok, are adept at satisfying our cravings and replenishing our energies amid a demanding day at school.

Buying one stick filled with Kikiam or Fish Ball and a Kwek-kwek in addition to your growling stomach paired with cold Sago’t Gulaman from your trusted ‘manong’ or ‘ate’ vendor near school is the perfect student meryenda — a budget mix & match per se.

Street foods have grown in prominence as a food genre unto itself — with Filipino food, in particular, being an incredibly affordable, practical, and interesting way to learn about the food culture of a certain place.

Although it appears to be just another ordinary day to have a tusok-tusok meal shared with your high school or college barkada after classes, you won’t realize how precious that moment you spent with each other was until it becomes a memory.

Lola’s Place

There’s no place more cozier than your grandparents’ house, and that I can vouch for! Being away from the city to visit your grandparents is the highlight of the vacation — be it summer or holidays.

The smell of the provincial breeze and your grandma’s delicious cooking will make you want to start the day early with your cousins.

The traditional architecture of the house is a testament to the decades of memories woven into every corner. Not to mention the undeniable sentimental value of spending time at their place, where time slows down, making it worthwhile for substantial conversation to flow like a weaving lake, exploring the depths of life lessons and experiences, cracking corny-old yet classic jokes, and passing the family tales narrated by our grandparents.

There’s an irresistible appeal that embraces you in a cozy hug and transcends time can be found in the air around your grandparents’ house. It is a haven of tenderness, nostalgia, and treasured memories — more than simply a physical location.

One will always have a piece of their heart at their grandparents’ house if they are privileged enough to experience its warmth. It becomes a place of eternal solace.

HOME IS WHERE YOU ARE

It’s not the facade or the pictures on the walls that make what a home is; it is the vibes, the people, and the memories that bring a place to life.

Home is where the never-ending giggles fill the rooms, the supportive backs that hold you when you cry, and the presence of loved ones whom you share emotions with.

It is the people with whom you can share your victories and vulnerabilities alongside providing support and encouragement. The warmth and comfort that come from being around people who genuinely care about you speak louder than anything else.

The connections that arise in a space — whether they are from blood relatives, friends, or a group of like-minded individuals — home is where relationships weave together, producing a safety net that saves when life throws curveballs. It’s the kind of place where a simple embrace may say more than words, where understanding transcends speech.

People are what create a sense of home and transform an ordinary place into a safe space. They infuse light into the darkest ends, warmth into the coldest gaps, and a constant feeling of connection.

It is never the place, always the memories and the people that linger.