For two years I worked on a bucket list wish—travel to Sicily and explore my heritage. There are several family branches that originated on the southern Italian island and I am curious to find out the life stories. I also need to experience Sicily to complete my epic novella series, The Eyes of the Strega, a story inspired by the legends told around the family table. Although the Sicily my great-grandparents and grandmother left over a century ago has changed, its essence remains. There are also cousins to meet and compare stories with. I leave in a few days with my sisters,cousins and niece. I am just about packed—I think.
I enjoy traveling but don’t go as much as I wish. Most of my travel time and money go toward visiting my grandkids who live beyond an 8-hour car ride. But with some careful planning and management, the 17-day trip to Sicily is happening!
Have you seen airfare expenses lately? One can find a decent deal at an economy price, but seating and luggage options add up quickly. Money is better spent on intriguing tours and incredible food experiences. I channeled the inner frugal and minimalist within and packed one carry-on and a mini backpack.
Since Sicily is still warm, I won’t need bulky sweaters or a coat. One light jacket, extra pair of walking shoes and walking sticks fit in the carry-on. Compression modules packed 8 days of necessary yet layer-able clothing. I slipped in several laundry sheets to wash quick-dry shirts and underwear and a retractable clothesline to dry said garments. My meds fit neatly in three weekly pill boxes. Bar shampoo and conditioner went into a twin pack soap dish and the body wash and hair gels squeezed into refillable TSA-approved containers.
That’s it with the boring stuff.
The crossover pocketbook could not possibly fit the extra necessities. It went into a compression module for later walking tour use. The mini backpack became my personal carry-on.
I had so much fun discovering tidy and useful travel accessories to pack into the mini backpack. A selfie stick stands ready in the outside side pocket next to a pouch holding a toothbrush, a 3-oz tube of toothpaste, and travel-size deodorant. Chargers, plug adapter, hand wipes, bandaids, USB cords, a variety of pens, and a stain remover stick (because turbulence always happens just as I sip coffee or balance something sloppy on a plastic fork) fit in the inside pockets. My tablet, wireless keyboard, two writing journals and extra pens slipped in the back pocket. My sister recommended a clutch that holds the passport, credit cards, and those large Euro bills. It zips closed into a flat wallet and slides into the backpack’s inside pocket. Although it seemed tight, noise-cancelling headphones fit inside neatly as well. The rotating ear cuffs allowed for a flat tuck.
The only accessory that wouldn’t fit in the backpack was the eye mask linking my head to the seat’s headrest. It promises to keep my head from bobbing as I doze. I don’t nap well on planes, let alone sleep. Perhaps this head stabilizer and eye mask will grant me a few hours of REM sleep. The bundle hangs on the outside of the backpack.
Our itinerary looks great. It is happening.
Bon voyage!
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