Confined

My husband and I were held captive “visiting” a rich German friend, on his dime, at his beautiful compound on the Côte d’Azur, France. My dreams of visiting French perfumeries’ flower fields in Grasse were replaced by speedy car rides through side streets of Canne. The travel photos I envisioned would become a story about viewing places of interest through the backseat window of a sport SUV. I wondered if this is the way a large portion of tourists actually see these highlights, peering out a window? My friend wouldn’t stop the car for a photograph, sometimes the window wouldn’t be allowed down, as he was afraid I’d let the cold air-conditioning air out. I remember many family vacations that were rushed to get to the next destination without being able to enjoy the sight itself. How often do relaxing road trips become mentally tense or worse, end the relationship?