March 22, 2009--Pompeii

Today I got to sleep in, well a little anyway, until 9 am. I packed up my stuff that I brought with me and went down to breakfast with Bailey. After dropping our stuff off at the meeting place, Bailey and I walked into town to find an ATM and pick up some goodies for the ride home. The ATM we were sent to was broken, so no good there, but Bailey got some granola bars.

We got onto the bus and drove to Pompeii around noon. We arrived in Pompeii at 2ish and met up with our guide. He took us around Pompeii, explaining all these different aspects about Pompeii. We saw the gladiator practice arena, the music amphitheater, stores, bakeries, and many homes. We visited the red light district of Pompeii and saw the erotic frescoes as well as the chambers used. We then went to the main forum of Pompeii where I got a great picture of Vesuvius. Mount Vesuvius is only 7 miles away from Pompeii, interesting little fact. We walked by many of the pots found after excavation as well as the plaster replicas of those who got caught in the volcanic gases and died. There is one cast of a dog which has the original bronze chains still on its neck. There is also a cast of a woman that may have been pregnant at the time of her death. Some other places we saw in Pompeii included many mosaics of wealthy families. We also visited two houses of the upper class and a Roman bath.

Some facts about Pompeii: only the first level of the city was preserved. On the first day of the explosion, volcanic ash rained down on the city covering about 9 feet deep. Those that didn't leave the first day, around 4000 or so, died the second day of asphyxiation caused by the volcanic gases. When the lava came, it covered the rest of the town and destroyed the second level of the buildings.


I had a great time touring Pompeii and am glad that I came on the trip to visit it. But, we had to head back to Florence at 5. We stopped around 7:30 to get some dinner before booking it back to Florence. We made it back to the station just after 10:30 so Betsy, Bailey, and I got a little something at McDonald's and waited for the 11:30 bus. We made it back to Villa Bonelli around midnight and were greeted by most of the group. Hugs were exchanged and quick stories were told. I didn't get to sleep until after 1 am.