We arrive early in the morning but the ship ahead of us in the port was having problems so we were delayed going on our excursions. Of course, we did not know that until we were already up, dressed, and headed to breakfast prepared for the excursion. We had been warned that we should have rain around noon and that we about the time we were to start back to the ship. So with cameras and all the related items including raincoats, we found that the ship was still out to sea instead of almost docked. The city is interesting. The castle was at the port and high on the hill was a large Monastery with another medieval castle above that. This city is definitely a place we would like to visit again. It is a bit hard to wrap my head around but by Italian standards these are not even old being from the 1300s medieval times. They can all be toured and have museums. Betty was going on a scenic and city drive which it turns out she was not very happy with in the end. Shawna and I got on a bus to Pompeii. Never thought that would be something I could say. The drive from the port to Pompeii involved a stop that carves and sells Cameos. They had a demonstration by an artist. Palazzo del Corallo has been carving Corals and Cameos for 100 years. Shawna bought a small cameo. The other purpose was to access a bathroom as there is very limited access at Pompeii. We were dropped off just a short walk from the entrance to the site. It was a gas station and next door was an RV park. So camping is right across the street from Pompeii entrance. The campgrounds here are for “caravans” which is the European version of an RV. It’s not the size of the RV’s but driving it in Italy that concerns me. They are crazy drivers. We parked across the road in a lot that was a short walk to the Archaeological site entrance. Our bus was divided in two groups and our guide was named Anna. She was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions. We did a tour of Pompeii. WOW! It was very interesting and at times a bit more strenuous than expected. It was good that Betty did not go on our tour. We were also lucky that it did not rain because the stones would have become very slick. History Warning: Pompeii was first settled around 600 BC. The city grew quickly and by 79 AD the city was an estimated population of 11,000 and wealthy. It was a port city with many wealthy merchants. Many theaters, temples, homes, restaurants, .... But in 79 AD that all suddenly came to a sudden end when Vesuvius erupted sending ash and pumice to cover the city. Both Pompeii and Herculaneum were buried under 12 to 20 ft of volcanic ash and pumice. The lesser known Herculaneum is differently worth the a tour according to Cousin Paulette. Back to the eruption. For two days near the end of November 79 AD the volcano erupted. On the first day Pumice rained down first which allowed most to escape with much of the wealth was removed. Sometime before sunrise on the second day pyroclastic flows started which killed everyone still in the city. As far as has been determined so far just over 1000 people were buried in the flow. All died suddenly suffocating in the extreme heat then immediately buried incasing their bodies leaving a nearly perfect mold of the body in the last moment of death. By the end the city was gone and even the coastline was expanded. Some excavations were done but most were just to rob the city of stone, statues, and what little wealth that remained. It is speculated that most of the Pompeii was left undisturbed because gold and silver melted and was difficult to find in the ash making digging unprofitable. Back to today. It was a busy day to visit the site. Pompeii is amazing. You literally walk in the roads and paths of Pompeii. Walk into and around theaters, homes, stores, and even a brothel. The walls were the original walls. Many that had the “plaster” with color still showing. Everything was just as it was after Vesuvius covered the city with ash. Mosaics on floors. Marble seats, ponds, walls, columns, and even fountains. They looked like no time had passed at all. Our first stop was a large area for events. All around the outside were 2 or 3 story tall structures where people could sit to enjoy events presented in the center area, purchase snacks and meals. This was primary for small competitions and religious events. Next, we walked by one of the many theaters. Being at the stage area, we could see where the actors would enter to perform. The doorways are too short for me. The Pompeii version of a fast food restaurant was so obvious to everyone. The holes used to hold large bowls of food both heated and cooled by water. It was difficult to just walk knowing that 2,000 yeas ago this was a thriving city and we were literally walking where they did in their time. They did have poop flowing down what are now clean roads but same stones in the same roads. All but one plaster cast are in the Pompeii museum but one woman in her last moment is frozen for us to see in a room where she was found. The detail that was captured was surprising. The folds of her clothes and even hair were easily seen. Along the roads were small homes, restaurants, and shops. Interior of the city block was where the wealthily lived away from the noise of the road and the smell. We walked into a home where the name of the owner is known. The rooms surrounded a large courtyard and inner courtyard. There was a private water cistern, marble pool/pond, and some mosaics. A brothel was in a narrow alley. Inside above each doorway to a room with a large stone platform (bed) were paintings of the type of “attention” the person would get in that room. VERY explicitly shown. The reason pictures were needed was that many did not speak the same language. The guide then told us that the upstairs rooms were for multiple people participating together at the same time. I am trying to be as careful as possible as some of our younger relatives read the blog. The builders were very smart and imbedded reflective rock into the roads to make walking at night easier. The city was supplied water with lead pipes. Many can still be found. We now know that lead is a horrible choice for drinking water pipe. Fountains were placed throughout the city. More mosaic which were entrances to wealthy homes. Even the sidewalks were originally paved with scrap mosaic rock. We then walked down the main road to the large area which was easily multiple acres surrounded by the remains of temples. The front of each with columns and words carved above. Pompeii is far too large for us to tour in the time we had available so we really want to return and tour on our own someday. Back to the ship to have lunch with Betty and relax. Tonight, we have another dance and music stage show. Step One Dance Company: Musicology – look them up it’s very good.
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