Picture this... Sicily...1908... (a Story about Packing Light)
- Jen Hamilton
- Jun 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 7
...wait - wrong story. Let's try that again...
Picture this… Naples, 2025...
The city is preparing for the soccer championship of the decade. Our train gets canceled. A "taxi driver" offers us a ride. In a car. A car that is very distinctly NOT a taxi. We say yes anyway...
And this, my friends, is the story of how packing light might’ve saved our sanity—and our marriage. 😂
From Smooth Sailing to Soccer Showdown
Our high-speed private train from Salerno to Naples was fabulous—quiet, efficient, and fast. But the moment we stepped off?
Total. Chaos.
The streets were blocked off. The air buzzed with excitement and air horns. Taxis were nowhere. Crowds were everywhere. And the city was already losing its mind in anticipation of the night’s big match.
Enter: A not-actually-a-taxi driver guy who offers to take us “within six blocks” of our hotel for cash. We were desperate. So off we went—with Dave in the front seat and me silently praying in the back.
A Ride I’ll Never Forget (Though I’ve Tried)
Traffic rules? Apparently optional.
Lanes? Just a suggestion.
Our "driver" honked at oncoming traffic until they backed up... when he had to stop for a red light - in the way of oncoming traffic. At one point, we almost hit a tram head-on running a red light to get out of the way of even more oncoming traffic...and the man never flinched. I couldn’t see Dave’s face from the back seat… which was probably for the best.
Eventually, we reached the furthest point he could drive us, gave him some cash, and set off on foot.
The Real MVP: Our Carry-On Packing System Saves the Day
Thank goodness—and I mean this with my whole heart—we packed light.
Dragging a giant checked suitcase over cobbled streets for 30 minutes? In that noise? In that chaos? No way.
My carry-on and I were besties that day (and I still had to stop numerous times because my wrists hurt so bad from all the uneven cobblestone!)
Lost in Naples, Found by Kindness
We were exhausted and couldn’t find our hotel.
Fortunately, a sweet Italian woman saw our faces and stepped in. She called out to another local for directions, walked us to our hidden boutique hotel, and even rang the buzzer for us.
People really are the best.
A Sandwich, A Game, and Two Tylenol PMs
We freshened up, braved the streets one more time, and found a kind shopkeeper who offered to make us sandwiches (fresh bread, mozzarella, prosciutto—bless him), after a very frustrating trek out into the chaos again.
Frustration levels were high. The crankies had finally set in. I was done. Dave was done.
Cue: my noise-canceling earbuds, audiobook, brown noise, eye mask, and Tylenol PM. I passed out. Dave, on the other hand, said the street party raged into the early morning.
We were up early, packed, and out the door in time for our next train—which was easy because we were still traveling light.
Looking for travel inspiration, connection, and a little cruise talk with women who understand this stage of life? 🌊
Join my Facebook group — Cruise Travel for Women 40+ | River, Ocean & Expeditions with Jen — where we talk travel, packing, and planning stress-free adventures with support for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, autoimmune issues, and chronic pain. 💫
🎒 Want to Pack Like a Pro?
When travel throws you curveballs (and it will), packing light gives you:
✅ Flexibility to move through crowds, stairs, ferries & detours
✅ Freedom from hauling heavy luggage over cobblestones
✅ The ability to laugh about chaos instead of crying over zippers
That’s why I created the 3x3+3 Packing Method—a smart, simple way to build a versatile wardrobe with just 9 mix-and-match items + 3 dresses or rompers...
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