Pompeii

March 2, 2011

Pompeii

We were up and on the bus at 7:30 am this morning for the 3 hour bus ride to Pompeii. It rained all the way there and back but quit while we were walking around the ruins. The ruins were amazing. We went into a couple of houses that had been almost palaces and the detail paintings on the walls and mosaic tile floors were awe inspiring. We visited the bath house and the "house of ill repute" where there were small rooms with stone beds and pictures painted on the walls of the "menu". First time I've ever been in one of those establishments. We saw many houses, the marketplace, the buildings for civic leaders of the day and of course, Mt. Vesuvius. This has been a story that always fascinated me and I got to walk through history today. 

We drove through the coastal city of Napoli (Naples) and stopped for pictures and gelatos. We were swarmed by roving street vendors who would not leave us alone. We moved four times and they followed us. Finally, a police officer came and they scattered. We saw the Isle of Capri in the distance and took pictures. We then rode back in the rain. Cliff and John went to get pizzas for dinner and we ate and got in bed. Tomorrow, the Vatican and catacombs.