Saturday is just slightly different here than in Tropea, oh, say, a light years difference.
Having eaten that late lunch I skipped dinner and just walked around soaking up the ambiance. Very nice place. Lots of people walking around shopping, eating gelato and greeting those they know. If only I could have afforded a "villa" here. What a difference and different experience altogether
Up early to check emails. How many noticed my bruschetta had a bite missing?? I was famished dammit. I know I scolded Depoti for not waiting, but he's not here now, so I'm okay with it.
Easy train ride to Pompeii Scavi station. Oh, and the return trip ticket that I got for Monday, well it was only good yesterday. Grrrrrr! My fault entirely. I tried Italian and didn't make myself clear.
So another 3.10 Euros and on my way.
Perfect timing. Got to the gates of Pompeii just as they opened. Me and one oriental lady had the place to ourselves. Started shooting some video. Got some stuff then BOOM, my battery dies. No worries, I bought two more for this very reason. Except. yes you got it, left them in the room. (Actually, I think there in my room safe. I haven't seen them.)
Was bummed, but moved on. Only took 200+ photos. Ready for the whole slide show??? Not happening.
Here's some of the highlights and I'll fill you in on some history.
You are there. 79 AD and Vesuvius has just blown it's top and covered the whole town with Ash and Mud. Unfortunately, you're one of the dumb ones. Everyone else left town when the Big "V" started blowing smoke. Here's the portrait that I got of you. Silly you.
Supposedly a reproduction, but I don't know, that skull looked pretty real.
Here's one of the main drags. Via del Mercurio.
The public baths have been restored and were open for the public.Here's the big tub.
Some of the many frescoes painted on the walls.
Back on the street. Any guesses as to what the big stones are for??
That's right, crosswalks. Most of the streets are down two feet or so and were often flooded. Flooded by water, sewage, you name. So most major intersections have these stepping stones for your convenience
Can you see the wagon tracks in the stones?? How many wagons did that take?
.Any guesses??
Our minds think alike.
Here's some mosaic work.
And said to be the worlds oldest welcome mat.
They've got some bright rooms in some of the villas.
The queen of the house?
An amazing floor. This entire picture is made of little bits of tile. It was way cool.
Another tile floor. Looks like an Escher doesn't it.
All the public water outlets had individual carvings. I'd say the fixture was new.
Quit checking out his package. Sheesh.
Moving on. This is the big theater. Rumor had it that Pompeiians and Nocera had a big rumble here in 59AD and the Emperor banned any activities for 10 years. 20,000 people getting it on.
I'm thinking Joe Tschauner can do this on my wall.
Hey, both Susan and Carol wanted to see Italian babes. This was the best I could do,.
This vineyard is a recreation of one that supposedly stood here in 79. They did root casts (?) and patterned the vineyard according to the specifications that they did during excavations.
Enough for now. I've only got 189 left.
Back to Sorrento to have lunch at "O" Parrucchiano. They claim to have invented Cannelloni (I didn't have it)
Lightly fried zucchini for antipasti.
And Penne all'Arrabbiata for my main course.
And maybe a bit of Limoncella for dessert.
A bit of rain it looks like, so no sunset. Gotta pack, but am going out for something light to eat, since I won't have breakfast.
Train to Naples at 8:20. Train to Rome at 9:50. I'll be there at around 11, then off to tour the sights.
No internet in Rome, so I guess this is it. I'll try and do two last updates when I get home. So I'll say again to everyone who's followed me for the last 5 weeks. Thanks for reading. Thanks for all the wonderfully kind comments and of course, Ciao for now.
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