An Afternoon at Pompeii

     After our brief stop in Ostia, we headed for Pompeii. When I taught eighth grade, there was a selection in our literature book about the destruction of this city on August 29th, 79 AD. Mount Vesuvius is in the background of the above photo. When Vesuvius erupted, the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were completely covered in volcanic ash, stone,  mud. Archaeologists today are still working to unearth these cities.

Here and there are glimpses of the decorative artwork of the period.

As you stroll the narrow streets through the remains of shops and homes, the wheel marks from the chariots are still etched in the stones.

Though it was brutally hot that afternoon, I would have liked to have stayed longer to see even more of this fascinating place.

     Some scientist believe that Vesuvius is long overdue for another major eruption.  I found an article  that explores the question "What would happen if Mount Vesuvius erupted today?" which makes for some interesting reading.

     Next . . . the Isle of Capri. . . 

Greetings from Italy

     I arrived in Italy this mornings with a group from the South Shore Camera Club. Our first stop was Ostia for an hour just long enough to grab a light snack and then we were on the road again to Pompeii. It was very, very warm touring the ruins. This photo was taken with my iPad; I'll post more photos from this fascinating place when I return home.

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