Pompeii

Jeremy and I visited Pompeii this afternoon! We got into Naples yesterday after a four hour flight to Cincinnati which really was northern Kentucky, then from there we had an eight hour flight to Paris, where, sniff, we had to leave, but then ended up in windy, chilly but clear and beautiful Naples! We rented a car since it came with our package, but today it is sitting in the hotel parking lot for a meer 16 euros a day since we didn't feel like risking our lives driving to Pompeii when we could take the train. If there are mis spellings it's because of the iPad.... After waking up leisurely this morning, I went to work out next door at the gym while Jeremy studied. We felt pretty good after a good nights sleep and were ready to go on an adventure. Who knew that trying to find the train station would be such an adventure. We walked in the direction of the train, but ended up missing the little street it was off of and found the big Tuesday market here in Sorrento. We walked through all the stalls of clothes, shoes, undies, socks, plants, etc...and kept on going. The map we have doesn't have every street on it, so it was pretty confusing. We walked I think at least a mile and found it right after we stopped for our first gelato, that was so delicious. We still can't believe how busy these little streets can be with all these little cars and mopeds every where. It took us about 30mins by train to get to Pompeii and 4€ but well worth it. We could see the ruins from the train stop. Jeremy and I had no idea how big this place was and how old it is! So cool! After starting out with no map and no guide, we decided we better get the audio tour and map which was much more informative. We walked about 4 miles all the way from one end to the big amphitheater on the other. On our way back, we were trying to find the bathroom and this guy who appeared to work there, attached himself to us and was showing us all these cool things, even the stuff behind ropes and things. Of course we thought he was expecting some kind of money, especially after he took us up to a new dig where they found some more bodies that had been freshly unearthed next to a vineyard. It was very cool and worth the money he asked for in the end. Riding the train back proved to be very fun with tons of people literally crammed onto it since the train before it just decided not to show up! Only in Italy! We made some fast friends with some other Americans that were there from Texas. There were also street musicians who got on at one point and were playing and asking for money.

Looking at Mt. Vesuvius through an archway in Pompeii.

The house of the Fawn

Wondering what those big rocks were for in the middle of the street.

The coloseum of Pompeii.  We walked around about 4 miles and only saw about 1/3 of Pompeii.

The man who took us "behind the scenes" showed us these big wine cisterns and the bodies below.

Casts of bodies not seen by the mass public.

One of our first views of Sorrento.  We forced ourselves out of the hotel that first evening to stay awake so we could get over jet lag better.  And it worked!

Finally figuring out the those big rocks were "cross walks".

Our actual first view of beautiful Sorrento!

After leaving the train, we walked further into sorrento with our friends looking for their hotel and wanting to explore some more. We ate dinner at around 7 which is closer to the more normal time of eating here. The place was not so great....smoking everywhere, dinner not so good and service not so great. Ah well. The girl at the next gelato place was great and made me some delicious hot chocolate. We are now unwinding and ready for bed! Goodnight!