The weekend of September 25 was consumed by a class trip to Naples, Pompeii, and the island of Capri. However, I must admit that I felt as though Naples and Pompeii were two smaller trips that may or may not find themselves in the way of my Capri sun. Selfishly and stupidly, I could only focus on the infamous Capri boat tour, which past students have spoke incredibly highly of. But, to my surprise, both Pompeii and Naples sparked my interest immediately.
First, there was Pompeii. A lost city beneath the volcano, which caused its destruction centuries ago, Pompeii is truly a picturesque sight, simply frozen in time. Upon arrival, Mount Vesuvius first caught my eye, almost terrifying me, as if it were equally as destructive today, and at that very moment, as it was when it destroyed Pompeii and all of its inhabitants. Next, the tour began. With Professor Guddain as our guide, we began exploring the main Forum, where government offices once lay and citizens once gathered.
The entirety of it was truly a bazaar concept. Among us were lopsided stones, withering away with age, yet it was so simple to go to a place where all of a sudden the tourists became citizens, the stones became government buildings, personal homes and shops.
What struck me most were the personal homes, or estates rather that belonged to what archeologists believe were Pompeii's elite. Intricate floor plans and magnificent artwork still lay there, just as it did years and years ago, preserved in such a way that made me feel as though the homeowner might walk through the door way at any moment. How could such detail remain as it was despite having been flooded with hot, molten lava? It was truly a miracle.
Professor Guddain explained to the group that at least seven or eight hours had to be dedicated to fully grasp the breadth of both the damage and the remains, we however had just under two hours. So, while our time was certainly cut short, I felt extremely satisfied to have taken as much time as we possibly could to understand the severity of what happened on that tragic day. Too often, especially living in Rome I see only the monuments or the ruins, and not the life that once was at each of these special places. Pompeii made me see the life that once was and feel compassion towards those that once lived where my feet lay, rather than simply appreciate such places as they are today.
First, there was Pompeii. A lost city beneath the volcano, which caused its destruction centuries ago, Pompeii is truly a picturesque sight, simply frozen in time. Upon arrival, Mount Vesuvius first caught my eye, almost terrifying me, as if it were equally as destructive today, and at that very moment, as it was when it destroyed Pompeii and all of its inhabitants. Next, the tour began. With Professor Guddain as our guide, we began exploring the main Forum, where government offices once lay and citizens once gathered.
The entirety of it was truly a bazaar concept. Among us were lopsided stones, withering away with age, yet it was so simple to go to a place where all of a sudden the tourists became citizens, the stones became government buildings, personal homes and shops.
What struck me most were the personal homes, or estates rather that belonged to what archeologists believe were Pompeii's elite. Intricate floor plans and magnificent artwork still lay there, just as it did years and years ago, preserved in such a way that made me feel as though the homeowner might walk through the door way at any moment. How could such detail remain as it was despite having been flooded with hot, molten lava? It was truly a miracle.
Professor Guddain explained to the group that at least seven or eight hours had to be dedicated to fully grasp the breadth of both the damage and the remains, we however had just under two hours. So, while our time was certainly cut short, I felt extremely satisfied to have taken as much time as we possibly could to understand the severity of what happened on that tragic day. Too often, especially living in Rome I see only the monuments or the ruins, and not the life that once was at each of these special places. Pompeii made me see the life that once was and feel compassion towards those that once lived where my feet lay, rather than simply appreciate such places as they are today.