Markets, Mopeds and the Madness of Naples
I’ve just ticked off a bucket-list trip, a whirlwind 24 hours in Naples. Why? Because my all-time favourite TV series, Gomorrah, is set there. I’ve watched it three times (don’t judge me), and I’ll probably watch it three more. Naturally, I thought it would be a good idea to wander the same streets as fictional gangsters. Logical? Maybe not. Worth it? Absolutely.
Now, Naples gets a bit of a bad rap, and yes, parts of it aren’t winning any beauty contests, but as someone who lives in a city (London, greatest city on Earth) and appreciates a bit of grit, I loved it. It’s chaotic, full of life, and has that rough-around-the-edges charm. My advice? Stay in a decent neighbourhood. Visit the “dodgier” bits, but in daylight. And keep moving.
Speaking of moving, I love running in new cities, it’s one of my favourite ways to explore. And my Naples run? Easily one of the best of my life. Sunrise, the streets eerily quiet, graffiti on every corner, the odd scooter zipping past, and me, jogging through it all with the Gomorrah soundtrack playing in my ears. I couldn’t help but think that if I were walking, I’d probably be terrified. But running? I felt fine. There’s a lesson there: keep moving forward, even when everything feels a bit sketchy.
But let me tell you where the real danger lies: the driving. Honestly, I’ve battled London traffic, I’ve survived rush hour on the A40, but Naples? That’s a different beast altogether. Road rules? Optional. Indicators? Purely for decoration. It’s basically one giant game of chicken, everyone pulling out at the same time, and somehow, it works. If I’d hired a car, I’d have lasted two junctions. Outgunned, outmanoeuvred, and totally out of my depth.
It got me thinking, investing isn’t much different. Markets often feel just like Naples' traffic. Frantic, unpredictable, occasionally terrifying. Try to muscle through without experience, without a plan, and you’ll come unstuck fast.
That’s why, whether in Naples or in the markets, the golden rule applies: don’t try to outsmart the chaos. Stick to your plan. Trust the process. And when in doubt? Let someone who knows the roads (or markets) help navigate. That’s what proper Financial Advisers do.
Oh, and if you get the chance. Visit Naples. If you love proper, gritty, full-of-life cities, you’ll love it. However, if you prefer a calmer atmosphere, consider doing what I did after Naples and heading to Sorrento. I spent a few days there afterwards, in a much more relaxed atmosphere, with stunning views, and crucially, no insane driving.
