The husband wants internet and networks and wifi and things like that; the wife wants silence and a chance to read and sleep without the doorbell or phone ringing; the only child(no longer a child)wants to shop and dance and eat adventurously.

So where does a small nuclear family go for a holiday?

I am reminded of my childhood days when we used to gather at a friend's house to watch tv(yes!!). Her father would quickly point out--see? Switzerland! or Look,look, London! and then add-hmm. Now dont say your father never showed you foreign countries. It never failed to raise a laugh. But now I have begun to think that it is probably the only way to actually enjoy a 'holiday'.

So many hurdles in leaving home! Ask the neighbours to keep an eye/ear open for lurking strangers, take care of the water supply( 2/3 precious times a week). Then water plants plentifully to last our holiday, or coax/teach the neighbourettes to do the needful;also ask them to pick up the newspapers. Easier to stay at home......

Maybe one should just lock the home kitchen. Get the meal of each one's choice from the market(no home delivery here); switch off the phone and sleep/ watch movies/grab the Kindle... But ahh! where does that leave the child's idea of a holiday? So we are back to square one. Take a friend along? Naah! Conducted tour? No way!...

And another year passes by.