Today I awoke to the sound of my alarm which is an unusual experience in my French home. Six fifteen came very early and I struggled to rise up out of my bed with my snuggling Sophie. I had good reason. Today I am headed to Italy to see Naples, Sorrento and the Amalfi coast. I have always wanted to see these parts of Italy and I have decided to make it happen.

Today’s travel will involve a car ride to Laval, a train to Montparnasse, an Uber to Orly and a flight to Naples. Once I get there I will be met by an old friend from Brunswick who has relocated to Italy and has generously offered to guide me around.

I wasn’t entirely sure what to pack. The temps look like they will be in the 60s but the nights remain cool. I basically brought jeans, short and long sleeve tops and my trusty Garnet Hill boiled wool coat. I also brought running clothes and a dress or two in case the opportunity to get gussied up presents itself.

Why am I going to Naples? Chiefly for the pizza. When I watched Eat, Pray, Love, I was engrossed by how the main character, Elizabeth played by Julia Roberts, described the pizza there and her feelings of body acceptance. She basically says, “eat the blessed pizza, because you can buy bigger jeans and men don’t reject a naked woman”. That is my personal motto for this trip.