April 17, 2007
Italy: Day 6
Pompeii was a thriving seaport when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79AD, flash-freezing the lives of its citizens in a tremendous layer of mud and ash. Excavations of the city began in the 1700s and continue to this day. It's pretty amazing how much was preserved, and even more amazing that such a bustling and advanced city existed so long ago.
The tour was only a half day versus the former tour which was a full day, but it was still very cool. We visited houses in Pompeii, as well as shops and bars and even a brothel. We checked out various streets and looked at all kinds of structures, artwork, and theatres. When the tour was over I had lunch with Marion and Stef, two new friends I met on the tour, both of whom were visiting from England. They'd been on yesterday's tour, though I didn't get to talk to them much until today. Lunch was great and I enjoyed their company, then afterward we parted ways where they went on a mission to find some gelato while I decided to do some shopping before heading back to the hotel.
Tomorrow is a tour around the Naples historic districts which should be interesting. Then Thursday and Friday I'm going to get to Rome to do some looking around, as well as a second trip to Afragola in search of records on my family either at the church, city hall, or both.
(14:10)
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