{pompei}

{2.16.2012}

We arrived in Pompei around 7pm and our bus barely squeezed into the parking lot of {The Villa of Mystery.} It was a cute salmon, colored motel within walking distance of the ruins of Pompei. The city seemed dead, we felt as if we were the only tourists in town considering they had to open the motel just for our group. After getting settled in, we walked outside to the patio, over a bridge that overlooked the empty circular pool, and walked into a long hallway where our group would be eating for dinner. Our meal consisted of veal, salad, bread, really good pasta, and lemon flavored cake.

After supper we made our way back to our rooms and the three of us, Rachel, Natalie and I watched some television and called it a night. It is bewildering how much a lot of fresh air and sunshine can wear you out.

Thursday morning we ate breakfast at the motel, and walked down the hill towards the entrance to the ruins of Pompei. We were greeted by a series of stray, mix-breed dogs that would gladly trade attention, love and escort service for whatever snacks you had in your backpack.

Our tour-guide was a bit upset that our group was 10 people larger than he was expecting. Despite his Irish/Italian accent it was easy to sense his frustration as he we moseyed through the city. The city was large, and we could have easily spent an entire day trying to experience everything it had to offer.

The ashes from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius preserved many of the buildings, paintings and beautiful mosaics throughout the city. 

{pictures coming soon}