Italy Trip Day 10

May 21st

We only had two goals for the day. First--experience as much of Pompeii as we could. Second-- get as far north as possible. To help us with goal #1, we decided to forgo a visit to the grocery store that morning, and relied on the meager provisions we had left from the day before--peanuts, crackers, cheese, and water to drink. At least three of the four food groups were represented--our tomatoes would have rounded out the menu, but putting several squishy vegetables (well, fruits, really) in our backpack didn't sound like a very good idea.

Pompeii was fascinating, but I will refrain from submitting an hour's long slide show, and will just mention the highlights.

It was amazing to feel that we had stepped back almost 2000 years in history. We were constantly surprised at how many things were strange and different--but more surprised at how many things were very familiar.

There were rows and rows of artifacts that had been found during excavation in Pompeii, including plaster forms of bodies that had been trapped by the six meters of volcanic ash and sand which buried the city.

The girls are being safety conscious, and crossing a "busy" street at the crosswalk. Wagons were built high enough and with big enough wheels to drive between/over the large stones. That way, pedestrians were spared having to walk where the beasts of burden had been.

Here is a Pompeiian fast-food joint. They would serve hot food out of the big, earthenware jars built into the counter--not unlike a first century "Golden Arches" (now introducing a vegetarian menu).

Another food discovery was a combination grain mill and bakery (hmmm...

perhaps our pathetic food choices were begining to take a toll).

The most impressive sight, though, was the ampitheater--where up to 20,000 people used to go to see gladiator battles.
It was also incredible to see how much art had been preserved--like mosaics, statues, and paintings.

After many hours of discoveries, we had finally gotten our fill.

As we left Pompeii, we headed north, and made it as far as Orvieto--about halfway between Rome and Florence. Since our plan was to make it all the way home the next day, we decided that a hotel room (and therefore, a decent night's sleep) was in order.